Heirloom

Barlow Mix

Aquilegia vulgaris

Photo: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Fluffy, star-shaped blooms with pointed, overlapping petals resemble petite clematis flowers. Fully double 1 1/2" upward-facing and nodding, spurless flowers. Blooms late spring of the second year from a spring sowing. An excellent cut flower, it has strong, straight stems and fills the gap between early spring and summer bouquets. Produces multiple blooms per stem. Mix includes Victorian shades in a complementary color palette: Aline Fairweather (rose), Black Barlow (almost black), Blue Barlow (violet), Bordeaux Barlow (deep wine red), Miss M.I. Huish (dark purple), Nora Barlow (rose centers fading to white with green tips), White Barlow (white), and Christa (purple-edged white). Attracts hummingbirds. Perennial in Zones 3-9.

Harvest

365d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

3–8

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Barlow Mix in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Barlow Mix · Zones 3–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained loam, neutral to slightly alkaline

WaterRegular, consistent moisture; drought tolerant once established

SeasonPerennial

ColorMixed Victorian shades: rose, white, violet, deep wine red, dark purple, purple-edged white

Size1 1/2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Division, Root Cutting, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

5-15 follicles containing many seeds

Type: Follicle.

Harvest time: Summer

Storage & Preservation

Cut Barlow Mix columbines immediately when the blooms are fully open and place stems in cool water at room temperature or refrigerate at 35-40°F for extended vase life. They typically last 7-10 days indoors. For preservation, air-dry stems by hanging them upside down in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks to create dried flowers for arrangements. Alternatively, press individual blooms between parchment paper weighted with books for 4-6 weeks to preserve them flat for crafts or displays. Freeze water in vases to maintain cooler temperatures and extend freshness.

History & Origin

Origin: North America, Europe, Asia

Advantages

+Stunning double flowers with unique star shape and Victorian color palette
+Excellent cut flowers with strong stems and multiple blooms per stem
+Fills spring-to-summer bouquet gap, blooming late spring of second year
+Easy to grow perennial hardy in zones 3-9 with minimal fussing
+Attracts hummingbirds and adds cottage garden charm to landscapes

Considerations

-Requires patience: doesn't flower until second year from spring sowing
-Spurless double flowers may attract fewer pollinators than single varieties
-Can self-seed aggressively, potentially overtaking garden spaces if not managed
-Susceptible to powdery mildew and leaf spot in humid conditions

Companion Plants

The beneficial companions here mostly work through one of two mechanisms: pollinator attraction or low-competition ground coverage. Sweet Alyssum and Borage pull in parasitic wasps and hoverflies that prey on aphids — and columbine, while not a heavy aphid target itself, tends to share beds with plants that are. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) add a soil-level benefit, with root secretions that suppress certain nematode populations. None of these are dramatic interventions, but planted at 6–8 inch spacing around columbine they fill gaps without competing for the same root zone.

Lavender and Chives are low-water, low-drama neighbors once established, and neither one will crowd out the columbine's 12–18 inch footprint. Chives also discourage aphids on adjacent plants through volatile sulfur compounds — a real if modest effect that NC State Extension and several other university programs have documented.

The harmful companions matter more than any of the beneficials. Black walnut (Juglans nigra) produces juglone, a biochemical root-zone toxin that stunts or kills a wide range of plants — site your columbine well outside the drip line, which on a mature tree can extend 50–80 feet from the trunk. Fennel is a different problem: it releases allelopathic compounds from both roots and foliage that inhibit germination of nearby plants. Since Barlow Mix self-sows freely and that seedling bank is part of what keeps the patch going year after year, planting fennel anywhere close is a quiet way to undercut the whole colony. Give fennel its own isolated corner of the garden.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and hoverflies that control pests

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting nearby flowers

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Chives

Deter aphids and thrips with their strong scent

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects and provide complementary bloom times

Borage

Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects while improving soil

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive plants

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that suppress growth of nearby plants

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathic root secretions

Troubleshooting Barlow Mix

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

White powdery coating on leaves, usually mid-summer after the first bloom flush

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe aquilegiae) — almost inevitable on Aquilegia in humid conditions with poor airflow
Crowded planting at less than 12 inches apart trapping moisture around foliage

What to Do

1.Cut the whole plant back hard — down to the basal rosette — after bloom; it'll push clean new foliage in fall
2.Next spring, thin or relocate plants to hit the 12–18 inch spacing recommendation
3.A diluted neem oil spray (2 tbsp per gallon) slows spread if you catch it early, but cutting back is faster and more effective

Leaves riddled with pale, winding tunnels or blotchy white streaks by late spring

Likely Causes

Columbine leafminer (Phytomyza aquilegiae) — larvae of a small fly that tunnels between leaf surfaces; cosmetic but alarming-looking
Dense plantings that make it easier for adults to move between hosts

What to Do

1.Pick off and trash heavily mined leaves as soon as you spot the tunnels — the larvae are inside, so no spray reaches them
2.Cut back foliage after bloom regardless; this removes most of the active population before they pupate
3.Leafminer rarely kills established columbine; the plant tolerates it fine, so don't lose sleep over a cosmetically rough June

Seedlings or young transplants collapsing at soil level, stems pinched and brown at the base

Likely Causes

Damping off (Pythium or Rhizoctonia spp.) — fungal rot at the soil line, most common when starting seeds indoors in wet, cool mix
Overwatering seed trays with no bottom drainage

What to Do

1.Start seeds in a sterile, well-draining seed-starting mix — not garden soil or reused potting mix
2.Water from the bottom, and let the top of the mix dry slightly between waterings
3.Increase airflow with a small fan; damping off slows dramatically when surface moisture drops

Plant fails to bloom in its first spring after direct sowing

Likely Causes

Aquilegia vulgaris behaves as a biennial in its first season — plants direct-sown in spring rarely bloom until year two
Seeds sown after June may not accumulate enough cold exposure to trigger the bloom response the following spring

What to Do

1.If you want blooms faster, start seeds indoors in February and cold-stratify them in the refrigerator for 3–4 weeks before sowing
2.Otherwise, accept the wait — second-year Barlow Mix plants bloom reliably and self-sow freely enough to keep the patch going after that
3.Mark first-year plants so you don't accidentally pull them thinking they're weeds

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Barlow Mix columbines bloom?▼

Barlow Mix flowers bloom in late spring during the second year after a spring sowing. The blooming period typically lasts 4-6 weeks. Individual flowers are long-lasting when cut and can remain fresh in a vase for 7-10 days with regular water changes.

When should I plant Barlow Mix columbine seeds?▼

For spring sowing, direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost date. Alternatively, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost for earlier blooms. Seeds need cool temperatures to germinate, so stratification in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks before planting improves germination rates.

Can you grow Barlow Mix columbines in containers?▼

Yes, Barlow Mix columbines can be grown in containers with well-drained potting soil. Use containers at least 12 inches deep to accommodate the root system. Container-grown plants need consistent moisture and benefit from afternoon shade in hot climates. They're excellent for patios and can be moved to highlight blooms during peak flowering.

Is Barlow Mix columbine good for beginners?▼

Absolutely. Barlow Mix is classified as easy to grow, making it ideal for beginners. These heirloom perennials are hardy in Zones 3-9 and tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade. Once established, they're relatively low-maintenance and self-seed readily for future years.

How much sun does Barlow Mix columbine need?▼

Barlow Mix thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily. In hot climates, afternoon shade helps protect blooms and extends flowering. In cooler regions, full sun maximizes flower production and stem strength.

Are Barlow Mix columbines good cut flowers?▼

Yes, they're excellent cut flowers. They have strong, straight stems and produce multiple blooms per stem, making them perfect for bouquets. Their fluffy, star-shaped flowers and Victorian color palette fill the gap between early spring and summer blooms, and they attract hummingbirds when left in the garden.