Aquilegia 'Black Barlow'
granny’s bonnets
Orders placed until 29 February 2027
You can expect your order in February/March 2027
Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2027
You can expect your order in March/April 2027
Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2027
You can expect your order within 10 business days
Free delivery
on orders over £50
Standard delivery £3.99
on orders under £50
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Delivery to Northern Ireland
Standard delivery £6.99
on orders under £50
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Description
The common name granny’s bonnets may not conjure visions of glamour these days but Aquilegia 'Black Barlow' are so absolutely in vogue and outrageously chic, they should catwalk into your planting plan immediately. Clad in ultra-trendy deep plum shades, rounds of extra petals form an elegant nodding bloom. This is a statuesque beauty with a tall and graceful habit, growing up 90cm in height, Aquilegia 'Black Barlow' knows just how to hold those captivating near-black flowers for maximum effect. Scalloped blue-green foliage at the base of the plant are a perfect podium to accentuate the depth of colour in the flowers which are held above it. Not only does this hardy plant look amazing, but it’s easy to grow, low-maintenance, hardy and it’s perennial so it grows back every year, better and better each time. Bees absolutely love it too.
Aquilegia 'Black Barlow' is a spring flowering perennial, you can look forward to this display of blooms from around April into May each year. They mingle well and crate some gorgeous contrasts with spring bulbs like tulips and late flowering Narcissi, but also other late-spring flowering perennials like Brunnera, peonies and oriental poppies. In shade, try them among ferns like Athyrium 'Metallicum'. Originating from European native wildflowers, Aquilegias like this are especially useful as they’re happy to grow in all aspects including sun, partial shade, and even full shade, making them a valuable addition to trickier areas of the garden. The almost black satin tones of Aquilegia 'Black Barlow' would intensify white and pink colours particularly well. With its long stems and spurless blooms bred specifically with cutting in mind, it also makes a superb, stylish addition to a spring bouquet. A favourite in cottage gardens, aquilegias have long been cherished for their charming flowers on tall stems that pop up in late spring, and they have a long list of common names to prove just how much they’ve been loved: granny’s bonnets, columbine, even granny’s nightcap!
Perfect companions
Key features
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Perfect for pots
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Comes back every year
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Great for shade
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In peat-free compost
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Low maintenance
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Fully hardy
Specs & details
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Botanical name
Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Black Barlow' (Barlow Series) (d)
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Flower colour
Near-black, plum, purple
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Plant size
1
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Established height
70cm-1m
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Established spread
20-30cm
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Plant spacing
9 plants per m2
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Leaf colour
Green
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Habit
Upright
Clump-forming -
Life cycle
Perennial
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Hardiness
Fully hardy
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Years to establish
1-2 years
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Sunlight
Full sun
Dappled shade
Partial shade -
Position
Sheltered
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Suitable for
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens -
Soil acidity
Any
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Soil moisture
Free draining
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Soil type
Loam
Sandy
Clay
Stony
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost -
Growing skill
Easy to grow
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Scented
No
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Pollinator-friendly
No
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Mouse resistant
No
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Rabbit resistant
Yes
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Deer resistant
Yes
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Toxicity
No report
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Planting
- Flowering
Useful information
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Soak the Aquilegia 'Black Barlow' roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting
Plant your granny’s bonnets bare roots into temporary pots with a multipurpose compost within a week of delivery and grow-on in a sheltered spot outdoors
Choose a pot which comfortably fits the bare roots. Some have a noticeable crown which should be just below the soil surface with any top growth exposed. Some varieties are a length of root which should be planted lengthways and shallowly (1-2cm deep).
Plant out into borders or permanent containers in late spring or early summer once in full growth. Choose a position in sun or shade depending on the variety.
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Orders placed until 29 February 2027
You can expect your order in February/March 2027Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2027
You can expect your order in March/April 2027Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2027
You can expect your order within 10 business days
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