6x Aquilegia 'Winky' Blue-White - Hardy plant

Plant the Black Double European Crowfoot in the ground immediately after receiving it. Plant in fertile, preferably moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Improve poor garden soil by mixing in some sharp sand. Plant the Black Double European Crowfoot at the right depth in the hole. The top of the root ball should be just slightly below ground level. Fill the hole with soil and press firmly. Water immediately after planting. Combining Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Black Barlow' with other plants You can make some lovely combinations in the flower bed with the unusual flowers of this dark blue Columbine. Plant Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Black Barlow' in the middle of your border together with plants that will contrast well, such as the similarly star shaped, but salmon pink flowering, Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata ‘Clementine Salmon Rose’ – these do not grow quite as tall so plant them in front. Another good combination would be with Clematis ’Nelly Moser’ or Clematis ‘Piilu.

Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Black Barlow' is a strong, hardy perennial. Make sure that the soil around the root does not dry out. Dead head the entire stem. The stems die off above ground before the winter. Cover them during winter with a mulch of fallen leaves. Cut back all the leaves in the spring and new shoots will soon appear above ground. Cut this plant's flower stems and a large part of its leaves in early September. The roots can therefore produce new, strong leaves for the arrival of winter. Cover the plant with a layer of fallen leaves or conifer branches in the winter. Provide it with garden manure early in the spring.

The flowers of the dark blue Aquilegia are best picked early morning. Remove the lower leaves and place the stems immediately in a vase of lukewarm water with cut flower food.The plant is slightly poisonous: eating the leaves can cause stomach complaints.