Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow' is arguably the most popular of the named Aquilegia hybrids—and with good reason. It is a curiously fascinating, and quite an old Columbine cultivar, having been bred in the 1960s. The blooms start as highly decorative, tight, green buttons, and then open out to most attractive almost spherical, nodding, spur-less, double flowers. They are composed of many narrow petals of subtle red, deep pink and pale green, surrounding greenish yellow stamens. Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow' is at its best from late spring and into summer.

This Aquilegia is highly sought-after for its cheerful flowers and graceful, upright habit. One specimen on its own is a talking point, but when several plants are grown together, there’s a wow factor like no other. And flower arrangers love it, too! Grow Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Nora Barlow' in any fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or part shade. Being perennial in nature, you can lift and divide clumps every three to five years.

Nora Barlow, the person, was Charles Darwin’s grand-daughter, who became one of the first Darwinian scholars, researching her grandfather’s life and work.