Aquilegia, Clematis-Flowered Columbine 'Black Barlow'

Aquilegiavulgaris var. stellata

Family
Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Aquilegia (a-kwi-LEE-jee-a)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Dark Purple/Black
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Direct sow as soon as the ground can be worked
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Brea, California

San Diego, California

San Francisco, California

Plainfield, Illinois

Wilmette, Illinois

Switz City, Indiana

Benton, Kentucky

Berea, Kentucky

South China, Maine

Ellicott City, Maryland

Swansea, Massachusetts

Saginaw, Michigan

Buffalo, New York

Port Washington, New York

Cleveland, Ohio

Geneva, Ohio

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Grants Pass, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania

Doylestown, Pennsylvania

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Columbia, South Carolina

Hendersonville, Tennessee

Salt Lake City, Utah

Kalama, Washington

Seattle, Washington

Owen, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

4
positives
3
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
J
J
| June 2020 | neutral

I introduced this plant to my garden on Long Island 3 years ago. Although it is an attractive plant, it is an aggressive reseeder and has...Read More

G
Harpersfield, OH (Zone 5a) | May 2011 | positive

Planted this in heavy clay soil 2 years ago. It finally bloomed this spring. It just opened 2 days ago- May 24, 2011. It is really pre...Read More

E
Minneapolis, MN | May 2010 | neutral

Curious if anyone can give me some pointers. 3 weeks ago I planted some bare root stock of this plant. Before planting I soaked the roots...Read More

S
Norristown, PA (Zone 6b) | November 2009 | positive

This was the 4th year for this plant in my garden. The blooms grew so tall, 4 feet, that I had to stake them!

B
(Zone 7a) | December 2006 | positive

This color really smokes and comes true from seed, if not grown in vicinity of other columbines with which it would readily hybridize.

G
(Zone 5a) | April 2006 | neutral

A beautiful selection with fully double, purplish black, spurless blossoms that resemble small dahlias. This variety was bred especially...Read More

F
F
Columbia, SC | August 2005 | positive

Easily grown from seed. The small, dark double flowers are especially lovely with the pastels of spring blooming plants. Fertilome's Tr...Read More

Featured
European Hornet
(Vespa crabro)
Emu
(Dromaius novaehollandiae)
Featured
European Hornet
(Vespa crabro)
Emu
(Dromaius novaehollandiae)