Aquilegia ‘black barlow’

Description

Quick Facts

Botanical Name: Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Black Barlow’
Common Name: Columbine / Granny’s Bonnet
Plant Type: Deciduous perennial
Mature Height: 60–90cm
Mature Spread: 30–45cm
Flowering Period: Late spring to early summer (May–June)
Flower Colour: Deep, near-black double pompom blooms
Foliage Colour: Blue-green, delicate lobed leaves
Hardiness: Very hardy in Ireland & the UK
Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, fertile soil
Aspect: Full sun to part shade
Maintenance: Low

Description

Aquilegia ‘Black Barlow’ is a showstopper in the quietest possible way. The fully double, pompom-style flowers are a deep, velvety near-black — rich and dramatic without being loud. They nod gently on tall, slender stems above a mound of delicate blue-green foliage, bringing real depth and contrast to a late spring border. It’s short-lived as perennials go, but it self-seeds reliably enough that once you have it in the garden, it tends to stay. Elegant, unusual, and genuinely easy to grow.

 

Caragh Garden Notebook

Planting:
Plant in spring or autumn into moist, well-drained soil with some organic matter worked in. Space plants 30–40cm apart. Aquilegias settle in quickly and will begin flowering in their first or second season.

Watering:
Water regularly through the first growing season. Once established, they are reasonably drought-tolerant but perform best with consistent moisture, particularly during the flowering period.

Feeding:
A light mulch of compost in spring is all that’s needed. Avoid over-feeding — too much nitrogen encourages leafy growth at the expense of flowers.

Seasonal Care & Tidy-Up:
Cut back flower stems after blooming. If you want the plant to self-seed, leave a few stems in place until the seed heads ripen and drop naturally, then cut back. Foliage can be tidied in autumn or left until early spring.

Division (to keep plants vigorous):
Aquilegias are relatively short-lived perennials — typically 3–5 years. Rather than dividing, allow them to self-seed to maintain a colony. Seedlings can be moved when small in spring.

Pests & Problems:
Aquilegia leaf miner can cause pale, meandering trails on the leaves — unsightly but not harmful. Remove affected leaves if it bothers you. Powdery mildew can appear in dry conditions; good soil moisture and airflow help prevent it. Aphids occasionally target young growth in spring but are rarely a serious problem.

Design Notes:
Stunning planted among pale flowers where the near-black blooms create striking contrast — try it with white alliums, pale pink geraniums, or silver-leaved plants like stachys. Works well in cottage garden and naturalistic borders, and looks brilliant woven through grasses. A strong vertical element in late spring when many plants are still building, it bridges the gap between spring bulbs and the main summer flush beautifully.