Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Nora Barlow'
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Nora Barlow Columbine is a semi-hardy, cool weather, short-lived perennial flower that is native to Europe but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 24-36” and features double pink blooms with white tips which look like small dahlias. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and pollinating moths, tolerates deer and rabbits, self-sows, and is used as a cut flower!
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Aquilegia
Species: vulgaris var. stellata
Variety: Nora Barlow Columbine
Also Known As: Common Columbine, Granny's Nightcap
Native to: Europe
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Bloom): Spring
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade.
Water: Medium.
Soil Moisture: Medium.
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Pollinating Moths, as well as resisting deer and rabbits.
Containers?: Yes.
Height: 24-36”
Spacing: 12-15”
Sow Depth: 1/4"
Produces: fully double pink blooms with white tips which look like small dahlias.
USDA Zone: 3-9
Genus: Aquilegia
Species: vulgaris var. stellata
Variety: Nora Barlow Columbine
Also Known As: Common Columbine, Granny's Nightcap
Native to: Europe
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Bloom): Spring
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade.
Water: Medium.
Soil Moisture: Medium.
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Pollinating Moths, as well as resisting deer and rabbits.
Containers?: Yes.
Height: 24-36”
Spacing: 12-15”
Sow Depth: 1/4"
Produces: fully double pink blooms with white tips which look like small dahlias.
USDA Zone: 3-9
Starting Columbine Seeds Indoors for Spring
When starting Columbine seeds indoors for spring, you will need to stratify your seeds by mixing them with moist sand and storing them in the refrigerator for 60 days 10 weeks before the last frost date of your area. Sow your seeds just below the surface of 2" Soil Blocks indoors 2 weeks before the last frost date of your area. Keep your blocks lightly moist and the area at a temperature of 60-65 degrees F until germination occurs.
Transplanting Columbine Seedlings Outdoors for Spring
Transplant your Columbine seedlings outdoors as soon as they can be safely handled and there's no chance of frost in your area. Transplant them into fertile, moist, well-drained soil 12-15" apart. Plant Columbine in full sun to partial shade because this flower appreciates being shielded from the midday sun.
Starting Columbine Seeds Outdoors for Spring
For spring planting, mix your Columbine seed with moist sand and store it in the refrigerator for 60 days before direct sowing after the last frost. Space seedlings 12-15" apart.
Starting Columbine Seeds Outdoors for Fall
Direct sow your Columbine seeds outdoors 2-4 weeks before the first frost date in early fall just below the soil surface at 12-15" apart in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Plant Columbine in full sun to partial shade because this flower appreciates being shielded from the midday sun.
Keep the seedlings watered and control weeds. Mature plants tolerate some dryness, but should be watered in the heat of summer. Hot and humid weather may cause the plant to wilt, since this plant prefers cool weather and can survive light frosts. Flowers planted from seed will bloom in their second year of growth. After blooming, the foliage will die off. Established plants can be divided, though they will self sow readily; volunteer plants can easily be transplanted. Deadhead the wilted blossoms if new plants are not wanted. Columbine attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees as well as resisting deer and rabbits. Its natural growth in rocky areas makes it a good choice for rock gardens.
Columbine makes a lovely cut flower. Choose blossoms that have just opened for the longest vase life. Keep in mind that this plant can be toxic and should not be ingested.
Keep in mind that this plant will cross pollinate easily with other varieties of columbine. Watch the maturing seed pods carefully, since they will open and expose their seed when fully ripe. Shake the open pods into a container to remove the seed. Store the seed in a cool, dry place for up to two years.
Companion planting is an excellent practice for any skill level of gardener. By using the natural substances contained within a plant’s roots your garden can both repel unwanted insects and attract those with useful traits. Companion planting can also be used to group flowers that prefer similar conditions.
Using companion plants as a border, backdrop, or interplanting in your garden beds will allow you to harness the ecosystem to its full potential. It is best to use plants native to your area so that the insects you seek to attract will know what to look for!
Phlox, a purplish-blue woodland flower, work well with columbines to form a shady border. Both types of flowers prefer light to moderate shade and bloom in the mid- to late spring. Another border option is the toad lily, which blooms just after the columbine wanes in spring, leading to a beautiful garden throughout the season.
A good vegetable companion to the columbine is rhubarb which, in addition to its nutritional qualities, deters the red spider mites which often prey on columbines. Rhubarb leaves can also form a natural deterrent to blackspot on roses when boiled.
Other light-shade lovings plants prove good companions to columbines. These include ferns, woodland flowers, Jeepers Creepers Tiarella, Chocolate Chip Ajuga and hostas. Cottage or prairie plants, such as False Indigo or Autumn Bluch Coreopsis, can be combined to create an informal feel while allowing varying soil conditions and light shade to yield blossoms.
Using companion plants as a border, backdrop, or interplanting in your garden beds will allow you to harness the ecosystem to its full potential. It is best to use plants native to your area so that the insects you seek to attract will know what to look for!
Phlox, a purplish-blue woodland flower, work well with columbines to form a shady border. Both types of flowers prefer light to moderate shade and bloom in the mid- to late spring. Another border option is the toad lily, which blooms just after the columbine wanes in spring, leading to a beautiful garden throughout the season.
A good vegetable companion to the columbine is rhubarb which, in addition to its nutritional qualities, deters the red spider mites which often prey on columbines. Rhubarb leaves can also form a natural deterrent to blackspot on roses when boiled.
Other light-shade lovings plants prove good companions to columbines. These include ferns, woodland flowers, Jeepers Creepers Tiarella, Chocolate Chip Ajuga and hostas. Cottage or prairie plants, such as False Indigo or Autumn Bluch Coreopsis, can be combined to create an informal feel while allowing varying soil conditions and light shade to yield blossoms.
Suggested Varieties
(Rheum rhabarbarum 'Victoria')
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Victoria Rhubarb is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather perennial vegetable that is native to Deptford, England where it was developed by horticultural expert Joseph Myatt in 1837. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 30” and features large deep green leaves that have green, pink, and red veins, and long tender stems that have glossy red skin. This plant can be grown in a container, is used to make insecticides, repels spider mites, and is both edible and medicinal!