Yes. Aquilegia are highly promiscuous and will happily and easily cross pollinate with any other species of columbine.

It may just be my conditions, but I classify columbines as short-lived perennials. They seldom exceed five or six years in lifespan for me. However, I also typically can not get any of them to flower the first year, very seldom the 2nd, and usually the third. So, not annual or biennial to me :)

I'm glad to finally understand that Columbines are considered short lived perennials and not biennials.

Ken_adrian especially glad to learn of your personal 23 years of experience with the two Columbines I listed/questioned about.

I would not hold your breath that yours will behave the way ken's do. His experience does not seem to correspond with most other gardeners and virtually all horticultural sources.

I am not sure about the particular varieties mentioned here cross pollinating but I did have cross pollination among the columbines I have grown. I had a bright Yellow and bright Red with yellow center. The seeds were usually pale yellow or a muddy red with yellow center. Not sure if was reversion to the parent species, cross-pollination or both.

While columbines cross very easily and all of my Eastern Red Columbine produced subsequent generations of pink columbine, I agree with Ken. The Barlows do not seem to cross as readily. If those are the only 2 you are growing, you’ll probably be okay.

ALL species of aquilegia can cross pollinate with any other species. It is called self hybridization and is the source of a number of popular cultivars

The Barlows and other heavily doubled cultivars are not as attractive to pollinators....that could be an explanation for lack of visible cross pollination.

Although it may be scientifically possible for Native eastern red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) cross pollinate with Columbine Blue Barlow (Aquilegia vulgaris) -- it may be as gardengal48 says- just not attractive to pollinators with all those petals. I know I've read hummingbirds are attracted to Native eastern red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) but never read of their attraction to Columbine Blue Barlow (Aquilegia vulgaris).

I feel fairly confident that if they did not cross polinate in Ken's garden for 23 years, or in Markay's garden-, then they may not cross in my garden either.

Thanks for everyone's input!