The common name granny’s bonnets may not conjure visions of glamour these days but Aquilegia 'Black Barlow' are so absolutely in vogue and outrageously chic, they should catwalk into your planting plan immediately. Clad in ultra-trendy deep plum shades, rounds of extra petals form an elegant nodding bloom. This is a statuesque beauty with a tall and graceful habit, growing up 90cm in height, Aquilegia 'Black Barlow' knows just how to hold those captivating near-black flowers for maximum effect. Scalloped blue-green foliage at the base of the plant are a perfect podium to accentuate the depth of colour in the flowers which are held above it. Not only does this hardy plant look amazing, but it’s easy to grow, low-maintenance, hardy and it’s perennial so it grows back every year, better and better each time. Bees absolutely love it too.  

Aquilegia 'Black Barlow' is a spring flowering perennial, you can look forward to this display of blooms from around April into May each year. They mingle well and crate some gorgeous contrasts with spring bulbs like tulips and late flowering Narcissi, but also other late-spring flowering perennials like Brunnera, peonies and oriental poppies. In shade, try them among ferns like Athyrium 'Metallicum'. Originating from European native wildflowers, Aquilegias like this are especially useful as they’re happy to grow in all aspects including sun, partial shade, and even full shade, making them a valuable addition to trickier areas of the garden. The almost black satin tones of Aquilegia 'Black Barlow' would intensify white and pink colours particularly well. With its long stems and spurless blooms bred specifically with cutting in mind, it also makes a superb, stylish addition to a spring bouquet. A favourite in cottage gardens, aquilegias have long been cherished for their charming flowers on tall stems that pop up in late spring, and they have a long list of common names to prove just how much they’ve been loved: granny’s bonnets, columbine, even granny’s nightcap!