Pruning Columbine 'Nora Barlow'

Aquilegia 'Nora Barlow' doesn't require pruning in the traditional sense, but timely deadheading and cutting back will keep the plant tidy and encourage better performance. The main task comes in July and August, after the late spring and early summer flowering period has finished. Once the distinctive double pompom flowers fade and begin to look untidy, cut the entire flowering stem back to the base, just above the mound of foliage. Use clean, sharp secateurs to make neat cuts. This prevents the plant from putting energy into seed production and often stimulates a modest second flush of foliage growth. If you want 'Nora Barlow' to self-seed around the garden, leave a few spent flowerheads in place, though be aware that seedlings from this cultivar rarely replicate the parent's double pink-and-white blooms and usually revert to simpler forms. By late summer or early autumn, the foliage may look tired and tatty, especially if mildew has taken hold. At this point you can cut back all the old leaves to ground level. Fresh basal foliage will often emerge in autumn and persist through winter in milder areas, giving the plant a head start in spring. If the foliage remains healthy and green, you can leave it in place until late winter and tidy up just before new growth begins in early spring. Remove any damaged, diseased, or yellowing leaves throughout the growing season to maintain plant health and appearance. Aquilegias are generally short-lived perennials, lasting three to five years, so allow some self-seeding to ensure continuity in your borders.