How to Grow Nora Barlow Aquilegia

Wikimedia Commons

Nora Barlow Aquilegia

Aquilegia vulgaris 'Nora Barlow'

flower

Nora Barlow is a stunning double-flowered cultivar of European columbine featuring fully double, pompom-like blooms in shades of pink, white, and green. This heirloom perennial grows 24-36 inches tall and produces an abundance of intricate, ruffled flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. The distinctive petals and sepals create a rose-like appearance that makes it a standout in cottage and cutting gardens.

When should you plant Nora Barlow Aquilegia in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Nora Barlow Aquilegia timeline →

Example Nora Barlow Aquilegia timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Nora Barlow Aquilegia
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Nora Barlow Aquilegia blooms
Mid-to-late summer

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Nora Barlow Aquilegia dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Partial shade to dappled sunlight; 3-4 hours of direct sun; afternoon shade in hot climates

💧

Water: Moderate, consistent moisture during growing season; water at soil level to avoid wetting foliage; reduce watering in dormancy; drought-tolerant once established

📏

Spacing: 18 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 90-180 days from seed to flowering; typically blooms in year 2 from seed

🌱

Planting depth: Seeds: surface sow or barely cover (light required for germination); Transplants: top of root ball level with soil surface

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost peat moss or coco coir perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-8; prefers cooler climates and partial shade in southern regions

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

Get my Nora Barlow Aquilegia timeline →

Growth Stages

Seed Germination

10-20 days

Tiny seedlings emerge with cotyledons; require cool temperatures and consistent moisture

Cold stratify seeds for 3-4 weeks; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; provide bright, indirect light; maintain 60-65°F for best germination

Seedling Development

4-8 weeks

True leaves develop; seedlings grow slowly with characteristic ferny foliage beginning to emerge

Thin seedlings to appropriate spacing; keep soil moist; provide bright light and cool conditions; avoid heat stress; fertilize biweekly with dilute liquid fertilizer

Vegetative Growth

8-16 weeks

Plant develops a mound of delicate, finely-divided fern-like foliage; stems elongate and strengthen

Water consistently at soil level; deadhead any early flower buds in first year to encourage root development; mulch with 1-2 inches to retain moisture; stake tall stems if needed

Flowering

4-6 weeks

Multiple stems rise above foliage bearing the distinctive double pompom flowers; blooms continuously over 4-6 weeks

Support tall stems with stakes or cages; deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming; keep soil evenly moist; fertilize monthly with balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer

Seed Set & Dormancy

6-8 weeks through fall/winter

Flowers fade; seedheads form if not deadheaded; foliage yellows and dies back in fall as plant enters dormancy

Allow some flowers to go to seed for self-sowing; remove dead foliage in fall or early spring; reduce watering; no fertilizer needed; apply winter mulch in colder zones

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Hellebores Heuchera Coral bells Lady's mantle Astilbe Solomon's seal Hostas Bleeding heart Foxgloves Brunnera

Avoid planting near:

Catmint (Nepeta) Lavender Drought-loving sedums Dense shade competitors like large hostas

Common Pests

Remove affected leaves; apply neem oil; encourage beneficial insects; ensure adequate air circulation
Hand-pick larvae; spray with insecticidal soap; prune affected foliage; apply spinosad if severe
Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap; apply neem oil; encourage ladybugs and lacewings
Increase humidity; spray with water; use miticides if severe; ensure adequate air circulation
Improve air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; apply sulfur or potassium bicarbonate fungicide; remove affected leaves

Uses

🍳

Edible Flowers

Culinary

The delicate flowers of Aquilegia are edible with a slightly sweet, floral taste and can be used as a garnish for salads, desserts, and beverages. Traditionally used in European cuisine to add visual elegance to fine dining presentations. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Remedy

Medicinal

Historically, Aquilegia root and leaves have been used in traditional medicine for digestive support and anti-inflammatory purposes. Modern herbalists respect its use but recommend consulting healthcare providers for therapeutic applications. [source]

🎨

Cut Flowers & Floral Arrangements

Craft

Nora Barlow's extraordinary double flowers make it exceptionally valued in the cut flower trade and floral design. The unusual pompom blooms add texture, romance, and sophistication to wedding bouquets and decorative arrangements. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

Aquilegia flowers are specifically evolved to attract hummingbirds and long-tongued bees with their distinctive spurred nectaries. The plant supports biodiversity in cottage gardens and provides early-season nectar when other food sources are scarce. [source]

🏠

Garden Ornament & Landscaping

Household

With its striking architectural blooms and delicate foliage, Nora Barlow serves as a focal point in shade gardens, cottage gardens, and mixed borders. The unique flower form adds year-round visual interest even after blooming concludes. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Cut flowers in early morning when stems are fully hydrated; cut just above a leaf node to encourage side shoots; flowers last 5-7 days in a vase; allow some flowers to remain for seed collection in late summer; collect seedheads when dry and brown but before they shatter

Fun Facts

🌱 Nora Barlow was named after the grandmother of Alice Eastwood, a famous botanist at the California Academy of Sciences; it originated as a spontaneous double mutation in a standard Aquilegia vulgaris plant
🌱 The distinctive backward-pointing spurs found on typical columbine flowers are specifically adapted to hummingbirds and long-tongued bees—Nora Barlow's doubles obscure these spurs, making it ornamental rather than optimized for pollination
🌱 Aquilegia self-seeds prolifically, and Nora Barlow seedlings may revert to single-flowered forms or different colors; true double plants often require division or careful seed saving to maintain the desired characteristics

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Germination Heirloom Mulch Partial Shade Perennial True Leaves

Shop Nora Barlow Aquilegia plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Nora Barlow Aquilegia planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Nora Barlow Aquilegia seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Nora Barlow Aquilegia timeline →