Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow' (Columbine)

Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow,' commonly known as Columbine, is a charming and unique perennial featuring fully double, spurless flowers in shades of pink, green, and white. The blooms resemble delicate pom-poms and rise above fern-like, soft green foliage, making it an excellent choice for cottage gardens, borders, or woodland plantings. This heirloom variety brings a timeless elegance to any garden setting.

Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow' thrives in well-drained, moist soils enriched with organic matter, making it adaptable to a range of garden conditions, including sandy or loamy soils. It requires minimal maintenance—deadheading spent flowers can prolong blooming, while leaving some blooms to go to seed encourages natural self-seeding, ensuring its presence in the garden for years to come. Cutting back the foliage after flowering promotes fresh, healthy growth. This variety pairs beautifully with other shade-loving plants such as ferns, hostas, or astilbes, creating a lush, layered effect. Highly attractive to pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, it is also deer- and rabbit-resistant, making it a low-maintenance and versatile addition to borders, woodland gardens, or naturalized spaces. Its elegant flowers and delicate foliage lend themselves perfectly to informal garden styles or as a soft, colorful accent in more structured designs.

Sun Requirements:

Partial shade to full sun. Thriving in dappled sunlight but capable of tolerating full sun in cooler climates with adequate moisture.

Maximum Growth Height:

24–30 inches (60–75 cm), with a spread of about 12–18 inches (30–45 cm).

Bloom Month:

May to June. Providing vibrant color in late spring and early summer.