Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Nora Barlow’
This old-fashioned double columbine, sometimes called Granny’s Bonnet, is a great self-sower and over time will create small colonies. Beautiful and graceful, I have mine with variegated hosta, barrenwort (Epimedium rubra) and lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis) in a bed with morning sun and also in my front border with white bleeding hearts (Dicentra spectabilis alba), foxglove (Digitalis), wild ferns and lambs ears (Stachys byzantina ‘Silver Carpet’), which also receives a half day of sun. Columbines will tolerate shade, but will bloom more profusely the more sun they get. Zones 3-10, easy grower, evenly moist soil in sun to part shade, pH 6-7.5 is ideal.
Eliza Waters 
Each flower is just perfect! Your photos are so loving of these little guys. First time I’ve seen that particular Columbine, Eliza. It is just lovely with your hostas. Best wishes, WG
Thank you so much. I’d be happy to send you some seed later once they have set seed, if you are interested.
These are gorgeous, Eliza! I’ve never seen double columbines. How long do they stay in bloom? They fade by late May here in Illinois.
Your companion plants in this garden sound really lovely. 🙂
Thanks, Sharon. They bloom almost a month with the succession of buds, longer than the other types which don’t have as many flowers.
Oooooh, Granny’s Bonnet!!!! How incredibly sweet and lovely!! I will forever call this flower Granny’s Bonnet!! It is so lovely and fairy-like! 🙂
I agree, they do look like the work of wood fairies! 🙂
I really like the look of this Columbine. I may be way off base but it looks kind of chrysanthamum-ish. Wooohoooo it grows in zone 10! Oh no, it wants moist soil? Honestly, all that information about so many varieties of plants and all the nurturing they require… it’s kind of intimidating for a person whose expertise only extends as far as making sure my plants get water. It reminds me of when I decide to get healthy, and then I start reading about the nutrient options of so many foods, and then I get overwhelmed, and then I just get a multivitamin and hope for the best. 🙂
ps — Your photographs are really excellent. I really like the effect of the shallow depth of field.
Thanks so much!
LOL – there is a lot to take in, I admit. It would only probably work for you to grow it in the shade in a pot through fall and winter and let it go dormant during the hot summer. But that is a guess, never having gardened in your climate. Best to ask a local nursery. I find it best to grow natives because they already are proven successes by virtue of evolution, so worry and fuss is minimalized.
Do you know if these are self-fertile? It seems I’ve had other colors of columbine here & eventually they’ve all ended up double dark blues which is lovely, but other colors would be nice to have. Maybe we could trade seed if you don’t have a dark cobalt blue double? The great thing about these wonderful self-sowers is that they wind up in odd corners here & there surprising you with a sudden, “hello”!
I think one or the other of us shared the Blue Barlow, as I have it. R. ended up with some showing up off her driveway! I will save a bunch of seed for you. They do show up happily in spots all around. I am growing quite fond of self-sowers. I thin them in spring and they can be moved easily to fill in blank spots.
These are lovely Eliza! I’ve never seen this variety of Columbine before…
Thanks! Old-fashioned, probably heirloom, pushed aside by flashier hybrids!
I see you images and I just think to myself “Breathe. You can relax. It is all so beautifully balanced naturally.” I am not saying that was your intent, that is just what I took from it.
Thanks, Kim, for sharing that. It means a lot to me to know that I am giving something to the world in such a positive way.
lovely photos:-) You make me want this plant:-) I feel like a kid in a candy store when I look at photos of flowers blooming-I want one of every type!!! lol, I just can’t squeeze anymore in my space, but boy do I try:-)
I know that feeling! I have the room, but not the time to take care of acres of gardens. That’s why I love the ‘wild’ ones best!
I feel the “wild” ones are the best because they are where all the hardworking critters live + you are just the person to do the job! We need more people like you in the world to own 7 acres in which they “care” for the land in the right way:-)
Aw, thanks, I try to do my best. 🙂 Wild land is the best kind!
These are so sweet! I don’t have this variety but may go looking for it!
I believe it is available from seed companies. If you can’t find it, I’ll send you some of mine.
Thank you! I will keep that in mind. It’s so hot out today that I was soaked after pulling a few weeds. I guess summers finally here?
REally gorgeous!
Thank you!
Those are awesome shots, Eliza. Absolutely wonderful!
Thank you, Michael. Hope you are enjoying this glorious weather!
I am. Finally.
Though the mornings are still quite cold. It was 49 at 7 this morning. But the sun’s out in all its warmth and brightness, and all is good.
Enjoy your weekend. 🙂
Thank you for sharing about this Aquilegia! It is nice to recognize some of the lesser known plant cultivars. Also appreciate your use of botanical/scientific names!
I’m glad you liked the post. I try to give the common and genus/species as many common names overlap. I wish you well on your new blog!
Thank you! 🙂
What an absolutely beautiful flower! Never seen anything like it!
And with your experience, that is saying a lot! Thanks, Maria!