DESCRIPTION: Exotic, blue double flowers, the small spurless flowers are pompom shaped and resemble a small dahlia; this plant doesn't like to be disturbed so try spreading seed instead of dividing.

BOTANICAL NAME: Aquilegia vulgaris 'Blue Barlow'
OTHER NAMES: Clematis-flowered Columbine, var. stellata
AVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 60 cm
AVERAGE MATURE SPREAD: 60 cm
SUN EXPOSURE: Full Sun to Full Shade
FLOWER COLOUR: Blue
FLOWERING TIME: Late Spring to Early Summer
FOLIAGE COLOUR: Bluish-green
COLD HARDINESS: Zone 2 ( Should survive up to -39.9° Celsius )
WATER NEEDS: Average
OTHER FEATURES: , Cut Flowers, Deer Resistant

Ornamental Features

Blue Barlow Columbine features dainty nodding Blue ball-shaped flowers at the ends of the stems from late spring to early summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its ferny compound leaves remain bluish-green in colour throughout the season. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.

Landscape Attributes

Blue Barlow Columbine is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Insects

Blue Barlow Columbine is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Blue Barlow Columbine will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity extending to 24 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 24 inches. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years.

This plant performs well in both full sun and full shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Blue Barlow Columbine is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.