Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Blue Barlow’

Description

Quick Facts

Botanical Name: Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Blue 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: Soft powder-blue 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 ‘Blue Barlow’ is a quietly beautiful late spring perennial — fully double pompom flowers in a soft, hazy powder-blue that feels cool and calm in a border that’s beginning to heat up for summer. Like all the Barlow series it has no spurs, giving the blooms a neat, rounded shape that nods gently on tall, slender stems above a mound of delicate blue-green foliage. It’s short-lived as perennials go, but self-seeds reliably and once established in a garden it tends to look after itself. Elegant and easy, with a long flowering season for its size.

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 establish quickly and will begin flowering in their first or second season depending on when they are planted.

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 in late spring.

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. Note that self-sown seedlings may not come true to the parent plant — this is normal with double Aquilegias. 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 in the border. Seedlings can be moved when small in spring if you want to reposition them.

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

Design Notes:
The soft powder-blue of ‘Blue Barlow’ works beautifully alongside the deeper navy of ‘Black Barlow’ for a sophisticated, tonal late spring display. Also pairs well with white alliums, pale pink geraniums, and silver-leaved plants like Stachys. A natural fit in cottage garden and naturalistic borders, and effective woven through ornamental grasses where the delicate stems and nodding blooms add lightness and movement. Bridges the gap between spring bulbs and the main summer border with understated elegance.