Grow a colorful mix of this standout "Barlow" columbine series from seed this season. Unlike most columbines, the "Barlow" series (Aquilegia vulgaris var. Stellata) lacks the signature "spur" behind its flower heads, but makes up for it with multiple layers of narrow, spiky petals... each of which have cupped sides resembling those of a canoe. Tightly-bundled stamens bear bright yellow anthers and protrude to or beyond the forward-pointing, most central petals. Barlow cultivars are the first columbine hybrids to bear multi-petaled, spurless flowers.
Barlow columbines are clumping, with multiple graceful, leafy stems. The leaves themselves have deep, rounded scallops and the upper stems branch to support multiple nodding blooms 3/4" to 1" wide.
What's more interesting than this columbine collection's rich green foliage and dramatic flowers? Its series namesake, for starters. Charles Darwin's remarkable granddaughter Lady Emma Nora Barlow (1885 –1989) was both a botanist and geneticist at Cambridge. She also curated and made notes on her grandfather's work, particularly his writings on plants.
Columbines are most often used as an edging, rock garden species, or border plant. We recommend planting the Aquilegia vulgaris var. Stellata mix among more typical columbines, or pairing them with other early-season bloomers such as phlox, alyssum, and ornamental allium species.
Our "Barlow" columbine mixture may vary according to available seeds, but you can expect the following colors:
"Aline Fairweather": Delicate pink
"Black": Very dark burgundy
"Blue": Lilac
"Bordeaux": As the name implies, a dark wine color
"Miss M.I. Huish": Violet
"Nora Barlow": The flagship Barlow columbine is a rich pink with white tipped (toward front) and green tipped rear petals
Cultivars that aren't typically included in this mixture:
"Christa": Purple with white edges and tips
"White": White; not usually included in this mixture
If you want more plants that attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, but aren't nibbled by deer and rabbits, put columbines on your seed-shopping list. In spite of their general hardiness, Aquilegias can be susceptible to leaf miners, spider mites, aphids, caterpillars, and powdery mildew.
Long-stemmed "Barlow" columbines are excellent cut flowers and can last for up to two weeks in fresh floral arrangements. Immerse the stems in room temperature water as soon as you cut them; once in your kitchen, cut them again under running water before placing them in your desired containers. They hold up remarkably well as dried flowers.
While the seeds are slow to germinate, columbines are otherwise easy for the novice gardener to grow. We recommend a cold-stratification period of 4-6 weeks prior to Spring seeding, or frost seeding in late fall. For an in-depth look at growing columbines, visit our blog post on the topic.
Soil preparation: Remove all clumps and debris from the seedbeds.
Sowing outside: Plant as soon as possible after your last spring frost.
Sowing indoors (Recommended): Start columbines in peat pots in a high-quality seedling mix. Columbines prefer alkaline soil, so while peat pots are preferable, peat in the soil must be balanced with lime.
Seed depth: No more than 1/16" deep. Columbine seeds require sunlight to germinate. Scatter on top of or gently press into soil surface.
Slow-germinating seeds should be planted two or three seeds to a space, since the lapse of time can allow rot to set in. Trim (don't pull) the least vigorous sprouts from each planting location. Always start with the freshest, highest-quality Aquilegia vulgaris var. Stellata seeds from Seed Needs!
"Barlow" columbines tolerate most well-drained soils but rich, fertile beds produce the best plants. We recommend providing them with consistent moisture in soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Columbines are sometimes marketed as a shade plant, and they look great planted along the southernmost boundaries of a shady patch. Still, we recommend full sun unless you're in areas with exceptionally hot afternoons.
Aquilegia vulgaris var. Stellata columbines are classified as perennials in USDA Growing Zones 3-9.
Like most other plants in the Aquilegia genus, "Barlow" columbines have clumping bases and tall stems with alternate leaves. Stems and flowers can double in the plant's second and again in its third year. These are short-lived perennials that tend to "go downhill" after their third season, but through self-sowing older plants can replace themselves.
Days to germination: 14 to 28 days
Bloom period: Late spring through mid-summer; deadheading usually prolongs blooming
Plant height: 12 to 24 inches tall
Plant width: 12 to 18 inch spread
Recommended spacing: Seed, thin, or transplant at 18" intervals
Front Side
Seed packets by Seed Needs are beautifully illustrated and provide a colorful depiction of the variety inside. We provide the common name, as well as the scientific name, seed quantity and a few specs about the variety to be grown.
Back Side
Each packet contains full growing instructions on the reverse side. Specifications on sowing the seed, growing conditions such as sunlight and moisture preferences and germination and growth information can be found as well. We also provide a QR to scan for easy reordering.
- Always Non-GMO / Untreated.
- Stored in a temperature controlled facility that's free of moisture.
- Always packaged for the current and the following growing seasons.
- True to the varieties advertised.
- 99% pure seed with no added fillers.
- Always Non-GMO / Untreated.
- Stored in a temperature controlled facility that's free of moisture.
- Always packaged for the current and the following growing seasons.
- True to the varieties advertised.
- 99% pure seed with no added fillers.
Always fresh and intended for the current and following growing seasons. Seeds are packaged in water resistant / tear resistant packaging.
Heirlooms are varieties that have been purposely bred, selected and passed down from generation to generation. They are wholesome picks that will breed true to the parent seed every time.
Seed Needs never knowingly purchases treated seeds products. We also do not treat any of our seed products with substances such as neonicotinoid or thyram.
Flowers will attract all sorts of beneficial insects to the garden, such as butterflies, bumblebees, honeybees and ladybugs.
A SEED COMPANY ON A MISSION FOR CHANGE
Seed Needs has been providing gardeners with quality seed products since 2010 and has shipped millions of packets to happy customers all over the US. We offer flowers, herbs, vegetables, vines, wildflower blends, seed packet collections and seed packet favors.
With the success of our brand, we have kept our promise to continually donate to different organizations and personally sponsor children all over the globe each and every month. We grew our sponsorships from just 1 child to over 100 children worldwide in only a few years. We would like to sincerely thank all who support us because it wouldn't be possible without you!
Check out our charitable contributions!
A SEED COMPANY ON A
MISSION FOR CHANGE
Seed Needs has been providing gardeners with quality seed products since 2010 and has shipped millions of packets to happy customers all over the US. We offer flowers, herbs, vegetables, vines, wildflower blends, seed packet collections and seed packet favors.
With the success of our brand, we have kept our promise to continually donate to different organizations and personally sponsor children all over the globe each and every month. We grew our sponsorships from just 1 child to over 100 children worldwide in only a few years. We would like to sincerely thank all who support us because it wouldn't be possible without you!
Check out our charitable contributions!