Aquilegia vulgaris 'Rose Barlow' is a beautiful heirloom-style columbine producing fully double blooms in soft, dusky shades of rose pink. The intricate flowers resemble miniature waterlilies, creating an enchanting display that floats above slender stems throughout late spring and early summer.
 
Flowering at a time when spring bulbs are fading and summer borders are just beginning to gather momentum, Rose Barlow provides weeks of colour and interest. Its graceful, nodding blooms bring movement and a naturalistic feel to borders, making it a perfect choice for cottage gardens, wildlife-friendly planting schemes and informal borders.
 
Beloved by pollinators and easy to grow, Rose Barlow will often self-seed gently around the garden, creating natural drifts and unexpected combinations.
 
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