A popular cultivar among garden designers, this lovely granny’s bonnet has beautiful, fully double, spur-less purple-black flowers in late spring above fern-like green leaves. It looks gorgeous with other black flowers and is equally at home in cottage-garden schemes or among grasses. It thrives best in soil that retains moisture over the summer. It is easy to grow and quite short-lived, but self-seeds freely, though rarely to nuisance level.
How to care for Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata Black Barlow (Barlow Series):
Lift and divide large clumps in early spring and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the plant. Divided specimens may take some time to establish since they don't like having their roots disturbed. Deadhead to prolong flowering.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.9m
Eventual spread:
0.45m
Position:
Full sun / light shade
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
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This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.