Aquilegia vulgaris 'Purple Barlow' is a striking double-flowered columbine producing intricate blooms in shades of soft lavender-purple, violet and creamy white. Each flower is densely layered with ruffled petals, creating a distinctive two-tone effect that makes every bloom appear almost hand-painted.
 
Flowering from late spring into early summer, Purple Barlow carries its elegant nodding flowers on slender stems above attractive mounds of foliage. The fully double blooms provide exceptional garden interest, with their unusual form adding texture and detail throughout the flowering season.
 
Easy to grow and long-lived in the garden, Purple Barlow is well suited to borders, cottage gardens and naturalistic planting schemes. The flowers are highly attractive to pollinators and often appear in abundance, creating a graceful display that lasts for weeks.
 
When to Sow : Feb–Jun or Sep–Oct
 
HOW TO SOW AQUILEGIA:
REQUIRES COLD STRATIFICATION. Place seeds in the fridge for 4 weeks prior to sowing or sow in autumn and allow mother nature to do this for you.
Sow onto the surface of moist, well-drained compost and cover lightly with vermiculite. Do not exclude light as this aids germination. Germination is slow and can be erratic, taking 1–3 months.
Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into pots and grow on cool before planting out after frost.
Autumn sowings can be overwintered in a cold frame and planted out in spring.
 
Classification: Hardy Perennial
Expert Level: Moderate
Germination Time: 1–3 months (erratic)
Flowering Time: May - Jul
 
Site: Full sun/part sun
Soil Type: Will grow in most soils
Soil Acidity: All Types
Moisture: Well drained
Care: Deadhead to prolong flowering or prevent self-seeding. Can be divided in spring, though slow to recover.
Use: Cottage gardens, cut flowers
Harvest: When blooms are fully open
 
Days to Maturity:  2nd Year
Vase Life: 3-5 Days
Height:80-90cm
Plant Spacing:  30cm