How to Grow Black Barlow
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Black Barlow
Aquilegia vulgaris 'Black Barlow'
flowerBlack Barlow is a stunning double-flowered columbine cultivar featuring deep burgundy-black, pompom-like blooms with intricate layered petals. This dramatic perennial adds gothic elegance to shade and woodland gardens, growing 24-36 inches tall with delicate ferny foliage. It's a long-lived, low-maintenance plant that self-seeds readily and attracts hummingbirds.
When should you plant Black Barlow in your zone?
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Example Black Barlow timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Black Barlow
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Black Barlow blooms
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Black Barlow dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, with best performance in cooler regions (zones 3-7)
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Seedling
4-6 weeksTiny plants with first true leaves appearing 2-3 weeks after germination. Ferny foliage emerges gradually.
Keep soil consistently moist, provide bright indirect light, and maintain temperature around 65-70°F. Thin seedlings when first true leaves appear.
Vegetative Growth
6-10 weeks (first year often grows only foliage)Plant develops lacy, fern-like foliage. Basal rosette expands and stem growth increases. No flowering yet.
Gradually harden off seedlings before transplanting outdoors. Space 18 inches apart. Keep soil consistently moist and mulch around base.
Budding
2-3 weeksFlower buds begin forming at stem tips in late spring. Buds are tightly clustered and dark burgundy.
Ensure consistent moisture as buds develop. Apply balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) if soil is poor. Stake tall varieties if exposed to wind.
Flowering
4-6 weeksDistinctive double flowers with layered, ruffled petals in deep burgundy-black open atop upright stems. Blooms are 1.5-2 inches across.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming and prevent excessive self-seeding. Water at base to keep foliage dry.
Seed Development & Decline
4-8 weeks through summer dormancyFlowers fade and seed pods develop if not deadheaded. Foliage may fade in midsummer heat. Plant may reseed prolifically.
Leave some flowers if you want self-seeding. Cut back plant in midsummer for potential second flush. Collect seed pods before they fully mature if seed collection is desired.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Remove affected leaves, improve air circulation, apply insecticidal soap if severe; plant tolerates damage well
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Spray with water, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap, encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
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Hand-pick if visible, apply spinosad for serious infestations; usually not a major problem
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Increase humidity, spray leaves with water, apply miticides if severe; rare in shaded conditions
Uses
Edible Flowers
CulinaryBlack Barlow flowers are non-toxic and can be used as dramatic garnishes for salads, desserts, and cocktails, adding visual intrigue with their deep burgundy-black pompom blooms. [source]
Traditional Herbal Remedy
MedicinalHistorically used in traditional herbalism for gout, rheumatism, and digestive complaints, though modern scientific evidence is limited. Use only under guidance of qualified practitioners. [source]
Cut Flowers & Arrangements
HouseholdExceptional in floral design for adding depth, texture, and gothic elegance to bouquets, arrangements, and dried flower crafts. The distinctive double flowers are highly prized by florists. [source]
Hummingbird Attractor
WildlifeThough the double flowers may make nectar access difficult, Black Barlow still attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators. Single-flowered columbines are more effective, but this variety offers ornamental beauty. [source]
Dried Flowers & Seed Heads
CraftDecorative seed pods dry beautifully and are used in dried arrangements, wreaths, and floral crafts. The architectural form adds interest year-round. [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 for bouquets in early morning when stems are fully hydrated; place in cool water immediately. Flowers last 5-7 days in a vase. For seed collecting, allow seed pods to dry on plant until papery, then harvest and store in cool, dry place. Sow seeds immediately or store in refrigerator for spring sowing.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Black Barlow is a 'doubling' mutation of the common columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) where anthers and stamens have transformed into extra petals, creating the characteristic pompom effect. This trait is stable and self-perpetuating.
- 🌱 The name 'Barlow' honors John Barlow, an 18th-century English gardener who developed this cultivar through careful selection and breeding.
- 🌱 Columbines produce bizarre-looking curved spurs on their petals, which in single-flowered species hold nectar—but the double-flowered Black Barlow may lack functional spurs entirely, giving it a distinctly different flower structure.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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