How to Grow Nora Barlow Columbine
Nora Barlow Columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris 'Nora Barlow'
flowerNora Barlow is a stunning double-flowered columbine cultivar featuring pompon-like blooms with layered petals in shades of pink, purple, and white. This heirloom variety grows 24-36 inches tall and produces intricate, nodding flowers that attract hummingbirds and pollinators. It's a long-lived perennial that self-seeds readily and thrives in mixed borders, cottage gardens, and woodland settings.
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, with best performance in cooler zones 3-7
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Growth Stages
Seed Germination & Seedling
2-4 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with cotyledons and first true leaves. Fragile and delicate at 2-4 weeks old.
Provide bright, indirect light at 65-70°F. Keep soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding. May require cold stratification (4-6 weeks at 40°F) for better germination rates.
Vegetative Growth
8-12 weeksPlant develops finely divided, delicate foliage in mounds. Leaves are fern-like and compound, creating attractive fine texture even before flowering.
Transplant to larger containers when 2-3 true leaves appear. Harden off gradually before outdoor planting. Maintain consistent moisture. This stage typically spans from spring through early summer of year one.
Bud Formation & Budding
3-4 weeksTall flower stems emerge from the plant center, with buds forming at varying heights along stems. Buds are tight and clustered.
Ensure adequate moisture without waterlogging. Provide consistent temperatures. Support tall stems with stakes if in exposed locations. Remove flower buds the first year to encourage root establishment if desired.
Flowering
4-6 weeksPompon-like double flowers with multiple layers of petals open, revealing intricate pink, purple, and white coloration. Flowers nod gracefully on stems.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming and self-seeding control. Stake tall varieties. Keep soil consistently moist during bloom period. Flowers last 4-6 weeks.
Seed Setting & Decline
4-8 weeksIf not deadheaded, seed pods develop and mature. Plant foliage may decline or become less attractive as temperatures warm.
Allow some flowers to remain for self-seeding if desired. Collect seeds when pods brown but before they split. Cut back foliage in late fall or early spring. Plant dies back completely in winter.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Handpick affected leaves; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; ensure good air circulation to prevent infestations
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Remove affected leaves promptly; maintain plant vigor; spinosad spray for heavy infestations
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Increase humidity; spray foliage with water; use miticide if severe
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Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur or fungicide in preventative manner in humid climates
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and
Remove by hand at night; use copper barriers; diatomaceous earth around base; encourage ground beetles
Uses
Decorative Cut Flowers
CulinaryThe intricate pompon-like double blooms make excellent, long-lasting cut flowers for fresh floral arrangements. Harvest in early morning and place in cool water immediately for best vase life of 7-10 days. [source]
Cottage & Woodland Gardens
HouseholdNora Barlow is a signature heirloom flower perfect for creating authentic cottage garden aesthetics and naturalized woodland plantings. Its self-seeding habit creates romantic, layered plantings over time. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeWhile the double form produces less seed than single columbines, the early summer blooms still attract hummingbirds with their tubular flower structures and provide nectar for early-season pollinators. [source]
Dried Seed Pods
CraftThe distinctive papery seed pods can be dried and used in floral arrangements, wreaths, and dried bouquets for year-round decoration. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalAquilegia species have been used in traditional herbal medicine for centuries, though modern use is limited. Historically, columbine root preparations were used as diuretics and to treat wounds. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Nora Barlow is grown ornamentally, not for harvest. Cut stems for fresh arrangements by cutting at the base when flowers are fully open. For seed collection, leave some flowers to set seed; harvest seed pods in late summer when they turn brown but before splitting naturally.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Nora Barlow was named after the gardening author and plantswoman Nora Barlow (1901-1989), who was Charles Darwin's granddaughter and a renowned botanist.
- 🌱 The pompon-like double flowers of this cultivar develop from transformation of stamens into petal-like structures, a genetic quirk that makes each bloom uniquely intricate with sometimes 50+ petals.
- 🌱 Aquilegia self-seeds so readily that gardeners often find unexpected seedlings popping up throughout gardens the following year, making it an excellent plant for creating naturalized drifts without replanting.
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