Aquilegia vulgaris Bordeaux Barlow - Columbine seeds

Columbine or Aquilegia vulgaris 'Bordeaux Barlow' seeds allow you to grow this hardy perennial inexpensively and easily. It has a light and graceful habit, with captivating, double flowers of a deep burgundy red, reminiscent of gardens of yesteryear. Its finely cut foliage forms a dense clump from which slightly nodding, long, slender stems emerge in spring bearing double inflorescences in pom-poms. It is very cold-resistant and it thrives in borders, mixed borders, or partially shaded corners of the garden, but can also be grown in large pots. Easy to maintain, it prefers a moist, well-drained soil, and naturalises readily. Sow under cover in spring or autumn.

The Garden Columbine or Aquilegia vulgaris 'Bordeaux Barlow' is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. The species, Aquilegia vulgaris, sometimes known as Columbine, Granny's Bonnet, or European Columbine, is native to Western, Central, and Southern Europe, where it grows naturally in meadows, woodland edges, and rocky areas. The cultivars of the Barlow series are distinguished by their double, star-shaped, and spurless flowers, a rare characteristic among columbines, offering a unique aesthetic and increased ornamental value. These plants have an upright, bushy habit, forming compact clumps. Growth is moderate. In the ground, they typically reach 60 cm in height and spread 30 to 50 cm wide. They do not produce suckers but self-seed readily. The flowers measure approximately 3 cm in diameter. They appear from May to July, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The foliage is composed of deciduous, basal, trifoliate, finely cut, grey-green leaves, offering ornamental interest even outside of the flowering period. The root system is taprooted, with fine, deep roots that are sensitive to disturbance, making transplanting tricky.

In an English garden or a partially shaded area, Columbine 'Bordeaux Barlow' displays its double flowers of a deep burgundy red, adding a romantic and sophisticated touch. Its light habit and spring flowering integrate harmoniously into perennial borders, where it gracefully associates with textured foliage like that of ferns or heucheras. To create a balanced composition, pair it with the blue spikes of Delphinium 'Black Knight', the pink umbels of Astrantia major 'Roma', or the purple flowers of Lupinus 'My Castle'. These combinations offer a play of forms and colours that enliven the garden from spring to summer.