Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata plena ‘Christa Barlow’

CHRISTA BARLOW COLUMBINES

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata plena ‘Christa Barlow’
CHRISTA BARLOW COLUMBINES

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata plena ‘Christa Barlow’ is in my humble opinion, the loveliest of all the delightful Barlow family Columbines.

It bears quilled double “Columbine” flowers of deep, rich violet-blue, but with each petal rimmed and tipped with white. Plus a silver-white centre,
And these delightful puffball blooms look up at you rather than shyly nodding.

This very fine double pom-pom Columbine blooms prolifically from spring into summer.
And also provides great cut flowers of an intoxicating colour.

The ‘Barlow’ family of Columbines were especially bred for commercial cut flower production.
So ‘Christa Barlow’ is particularly long blooming, with enduring flowers of such outstanding colouring.

Plus the blooms are held in large airy, branching heads. Well above the compact clump of scalloped foliage.
So the strong, long, clean stems make them ideal to cut for floristry. Where they last for ages in a vase.

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata plena ‘Christa Barlow’ is a hardy, evergreen perennial clump.

‘Christa Barlow’ is frost and heat hardy.
And she also tolerates some dry once established.

Plant ‘Christa Barlow’ in Shade to ½ Shade to Sun.
It is a hardy and adaptable, evergreen perennial clump that is equally happy to grow under trees and shrubs or out in the open flower garden.
She is rarely troubled by any pests and diseases, and is ignored by rabbits and deer who dislike the taste apparently.
However bees and other useful pollinating insects adore the nectar rich flower with their glorious stamens rich in pollen too.

Approx. 60cm High in spectacular flower x 25cm Wide of evergreen, pretty, ferny foliage.

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Sow seeds any time indoors in punnets / or scatter directly in garden in autumn and winter.
Aquilegias germinate easily in the garden after chilling by the cold of winter.

INDOORS: Sow seeds on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then barely cover the seeds with sieved mix.
Because these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the punnet by standing in a shallow water bath. Allow the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Then place the sown punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in direct sunlight)

Temperatures of 15- 24C approx. are ideal for rapid and optimum germination.

Seedlings may begin emerging as soon as 10 days, but within 21-28 days.

However if there is no germination after 4 weeks it means the seeds are dormant and require a period of chilling.
So wrap the moist, sown punnet in cling-wrap and keep in fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks.
Then return to a well lit position at 15-24C for germination.
However do not discard the punnet as seeds will continue to germinate for a staggered period after the chilling.

SEED COUNT: 30 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve).

Click here for Nursery Open Days & Open Gardens Information
https://www.gardivalia.com.au/open-gardens

Click here to go back to Seeds Shop
https://www.seedscape.net.au/shop/