PlantFiles: Clematis-flowered Columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Nora Barlow'

Mine is a very tall (about 30") plant, with dark purple/red blossoms. Very pretty. Had to stake it, and it does get leaf miners to some degree during early- or mid-June, but all in all a nice plant. I have it installed next to a shed, in a mix of topsoil, cow manure, and peat, between a foot-wide swath of gravel and the lawn.

I really enjoy this plant, I've had it for a long time. Over the past few years it went down hill quite a bit but recently I moved it to a more sunny location and I think it will be fine. Has given me lots of seedlings. Some solid burgundy.

I've been growing this lovely plant successfully for the past 10 years in a semi-shady spot surrounding a bird bath. It sprouted from a pack of Burpee's "Mixed Wildflowers For Shade" that I simply scattered there, & has done quite well.

Not only do the older plants return faithfully every year, but they also reseed prodigiously, providing me with a number of new seedlings. Two years ago, a couple of the new seedlings sported pristine, pure white blooms, which are extremely attractive, especially mixed in with the original burgundies, & I hope to collect seeds from those & see if they'll grow & bloom true.

The deer & rabbits seem to leave these plants alone, & except for the usual & common affliction of leaf miners later in the growing season, they appear to be impervious to any other pests/diseases.

This is such an interesting Columbine. If it wasn't for the leaves, you'd hardly recognize it as a Columbine. It's really a pretty flower.

Stratification and light aid germination of seeds.

Blooms late May to mid June in my garden.

I had an unusual variety of this series that was blue & white rather than the more common pink & white. This has now "mutated" to a very dark bluish-purple (very hardy, also!).

I just recently learned what the name of this wonderful plant is....but have grown it for years and I love it!

In fact, I've given away large chunks of it, moved it
all over my garden and now that I am aware of it's name, even more in love with it!

Years ago I received the seeds in a trade. I planted
them but never knew what to expect or what would come up. For several years I've cared for and admired this plant in several locations about our garden, even at the base of a black walnut tree.

It looks good most of the year unless we have a
very dry summer. Love it, love it, love it!

Short spurred and less attractive than it's long spurred cousins. Colours are generally stronger and brighter, and flowers have many more petals, giving a very ruffled effect.