Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow'
Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow'
Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow'
Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow'
Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow'
Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow'
Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow'
Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow'
Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow'
Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow'

Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow'

"Columbine"

Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow'

3 bare roots — £5.85

Spring planting season is currently closed 
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Delivery schedule

Orders placed until 29 February 2025
You can expect your order in February/March 2025

Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in March/April 2025

Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days

Available for (pre)ordering again in December
Free delivery on UK orders over £50
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UK orders under £50
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£5.99

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Description

Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow' is arguably the most popular of the named Aquilegia hybrids—and with good reason. It is a curiously fascinating, and quite an old Columbine cultivar, having been bred in the 1960s. The blooms start as highly decorative, tight, green buttons, and then open out to most attractive almost spherical, nodding, spur-less, double flowers. They are composed of many narrow petals of subtle red, deep pink and pale green, surrounding greenish yellow stamens. Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow' is at its best from late spring and into summer.

This Aquilegia is highly sought-after for its cheerful flowers and graceful, upright habit. One specimen on its own is a talking point, but when several plants are grown together, there’s a wow factor like no other. And flower arrangers love it, too! Grow Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Nora Barlow' in any fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or part shade. Being perennial in nature, you can lift and divide clumps every three to five years.

Nora Barlow, the person, was Charles Darwin’s grand-daughter, who became one of the first Darwinian scholars, researching her grandfather’s life and work.

Key features

  • Perfect for pots

  • Comes back every year

  • Great for shade

  • In peat-free compost

  • Low maintenance

  • Fully hardy

Specs & details

  • Botanical name

    Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Nora Barlow'

  • Flower colour

    Pink, white

  • Plant size

    1

  • Established height

    70cm-1m

  • Established spread

    20-30cm

  • Plant spacing

    9 plants per m2

  • Leaf colour

    Green

  • Habit

    Upright
    Clump-forming

  • Life cycle

    Perennial

  • Hardiness

    Fully hardy

  • Years to establish

    1-2 years

  • Sunlight

    Full sun
    Dappled shade
    Partial shade

  • Position

    Sheltered

  • Suitable for

    Pots
    Large containers
    Borders
    Cottage gardens
    Low maintenance gardens

  • Soil acidity

    Any

  • Soil moisture

    Free draining

  • Soil type

    Loam
    Sandy
    Clay
    Stony
    Multipurpose compost
    Loam-based compost

  • Growing skill

    Easy to grow

  • Scented

    No

  • Pollinator-friendly

    No

  • Mouse resistant

    No

  • Rabbit resistant

    Yes

  • Deer resistant

    Yes

  • Toxicity

    No report

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJuneJulyAugSepOctNovDec
  • Planting
  • Flowering

Useful information

    • Soak the Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow' roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting

    • Plant your "Columbine" bare roots into temporary pots with a multipurpose compost in spring 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.

    Read all planting & care instructions

  • Orders placed until 29 February 2025
    You can expect your order in February/March 2025

    Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
    You can expect your order in March/April 2025

    Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
    You can expect your order within 10 business days

Perennials in 1 minute

The beauty of perennial plants doesn’t just lie in their long-lasting flowers and sturdy, resilient nature, but it’s their sheer determination to keep on coming back stronger every year —in year one they’re good, but in future years they’re even better!

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