Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
Out of season
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.
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Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
- Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Nora Barlow'
- Flower colour
- Pink, white
- Established height
- 70cm-1m
- Established spread
- 20-30cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant size
- 1
- Plant spacing
- 9 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- No
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Clay
Stony
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Dappled shade
Partial shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1-2 years
Perfect for pots
Great for shade
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed peat-free
Low maintenance
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Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow' reviews
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