Bordeaux Barlow Columbine Seeds — Aquilegia vulgaris

A Dark & Dramatic Cottage Garden Classic

'Bordeaux Barlow' is one of the most captivating of all the Barlow columbines — a fully double, spurless form of Aquilegia vulgaris that produces extraordinary layered petticoat-like blooms in the deepest, richest wine-red and burgundy. Like tiny ruffled skirts of darkest velvet, these flowers are utterly unique and endlessly fascinating. A must-have for lovers of dark and moody cottage garden planting.

Why Gardeners Love It

• 💜 Extraordinary fully double petticoat blooms — rich wine-red and deep burgundy ruffled layers with no spurs
• 🌚 Unique spurless Barlow form — a rare and collectible heirloom variety unlike any other columbine
• 📏 Grows 60–90 cm tall — elegant and upright; perfect for the middle of cottage garden borders
• 🐝 Attracts pollinators — despite the double form, bees are drawn to these blooms
• 🌱 Hardy perennial — returns year after year and self-seeds, though seedlings may vary
• ✂️ Stunning cut flower — dramatic and long-lasting in dark, moody arrangements

Growing Tips for New Zealand

Sow seeds in autumn or early spring into moist, well-drained seed-raising mix. Aquilegia vulgaris benefits from cold stratification — sowing in autumn and leaving pots outside over winter gives excellent germination results. Transplant seedlings to a partially shaded or dappled sun position with rich, moisture-retentive soil, spacing 30–40 cm apart. Allow some plants to self-seed for a naturalistic effect, though double forms may not come fully true from seed.

What's in the Packet

Each packet contains 15 seeds of Aquilegia vulgaris 'Bordeaux Barlow'.