Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata Rose Barlow - Columbine

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Rose Barlow', also known as Columbine, is a delicate perennial plant that pairs well with shorter plants. This cousin of the popular 'Nora Barlow' blooms from spring until the beginning of summer, with beautiful double flowers in a delicate frill of light pink petals with pointed tips. It is extremely easy to grow in any type of soil and easily naturalizes in rock gardens and borders.

Aquilegia 'Rose Barlow' belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. It is a cultivar derived from Aquilegia vulgaris (or clematiflora), native to Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia, where it grows in deciduous forest clearings and meadows. The Barlow series was created in tribute to Emma Nora Barlow, the granddaughter of naturalist Charles Darwin, who was passionate about botany.

It is a very hardy herbaceous perennial plant that forms an upright clump, 40cm (16in) tall and 30-40cm (12-16in) wide, with abundant foliage from which long flowering stems rise upwards. From May to June, stems up to 60cm (24in) tall bear at least 3 intensely double flowers, inclined horizontally. They have long-horned spurs and delicate light pink corollas. Its deciduous bluish-green foliage is quite decorative, and the lobed leaves give a sense of lightness.

Aquilegias were cultivated in medieval flower beds and they have been perpetuated in cottage gardens. Compact and unassuming, they are essential in mixed borders, where they bring elegance and charm. They can also be planted in a variety of garden spots, with a 20cm (8in) space around each plant: in the middle of a perennial bed, in a border, at the base of bushes, on the edge of woodlands or on a slope. They look stunning when planted in groups to create a dense clump. In flower beds, in a cottage garden style, they can be paired with all kinds of perennials, such as Foxgloves, Bleeding Hearts, or Peach-leaved Bellflowers. Play with colours by contrasting with orange, yellow, or white flowers, or enhance its informal look by pairing it with grasses. Pick when they are just opening for gorgeous wildflower bouquets.