Aquilegia vulgaris 'Nora Barlow' (Aquilegia)

A delightful, early summer flowering aquilegia. Unlike most traditional aquilegias this one has a round multi-petalled head and does not have the backward pointing spurs. 

History

Aquilegia comes from the latin 'aquila' or eagle, which was thought to be so named because of the shape of the petals. The name 'Nora Barlow' was given in honour of the granddaughter of Charles Darwin.

Planting

It is best to plant aquilegias in early spring (Mar-Apr) or autumn (Oct-Nov). When planting allow enough room for the plant to grow and spread. Dig a hole a little larger than the pot or root ball and place the plant into the hole, so that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Fill in the remaining gaps, firm the soil surrounding it. Water in well, and keep watering regularly until the plant has become established.

Propagation

Seeds (Plant March to April, Division (Sept to Nov). Divided plants may take some time to establish as they do not like their roots being disturbed.

Cultivation

Grows best in any reasonably fertile, moist but well drained soil, in a sunny position with some shade.  They grow well in a sunny position but if there is some shade it will prolong the flowering. Blooms will not last long in heavy, soggy soils.

Aftercare

Little aftercare is needed, apply a mulch during the winter months to feed the plant and improve the soil structure. If the soil is very poor use a fertiliser,such as blood,fish and bone, in early spring. Remove the previous years growth before the new shoots appear, either in autumn or early spring once the foliage has died back. The plants self-seed freely, but the seedlings are rarely like the parents, so if this is to be prevented the faded flowers should be cut off close to the ground before the seeds have chance to develop.

Pests

Aphids, Slugs.

Diseases

Mildew

Poisonous characteristics

Contact with the sap may cause skin irritation and it is harmful if eaten.

Other information

Makes an excellent cut flower.

Height/Spread

This plant produces grey/green, deeply divided fern like leaves with tall thin upright stems; that support multi-layered, almost spherical heads, made from lots of small, pointed, plum red and pink petals. The tips of the petals are white and sometimes tinged with green. It is an unusual variety of aquilegia, as it does not have the usual backward pointing spurs.

Annual care

March

Apply fertiliser to feed the plant if the soil is poor and remove the previous years growth if not already done.

June

Dead head the flowers if you do not want the aquilegia to self-seed.

October

Remove the years growth when the foliage has died back.

November

Apply a mulch of well rotted organic material at the base of the plant to feed the plant and improve the soil structure.