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The tall, majestic flower spikes of larkspur in radiant colors of blue, purple, pink, and white add rich elegance and beauty to any flower garden. In ancient Egyptian times, larkspur flowers were used to decorate mummies, and today they still attract gardeners worldwide with their bold presence and many advantages.
Larkspur flowers (Consolida) are tall, dramatic plants with dolphin-shaped flower buds. The flowers grow on colorful spires reaching massive heights and absolutely stunning displays.
About Larkspur
Larkspur plants grow between 2 and 6 feet, with a spread of 1 to 3 feet. There is a lot of variance because so many cultivars are designed for other traits, like bushiness or compactness. However, the original larkspur is usually around 4-6 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide. The foliage is deeply lobed and bluish-green and is an attractive backdrop for the colorful blooms.
It’s a grand, imposing plant with flowers that grow on tall, vertical spikes, making it even more dramatic. Most commonly, larkspur is known for its rich, blue flowers, but nowadays you can get them in a stunning range of colors, including pink, purple, indigo, white, and yellow varieties. The foliage is deeply lobed and bluish-green and is an attractive backdrop for the colorful blooms.
Larkspur is said to represent an open heart, sincerity, and strong bonds of love. The summer-blooming nature of larkspur has connected it with lightness, pure fun, and a desire for humor in many traditions. In Victorian times, giving larkspur as a gift conveyed deep affection and appreciation. It was a popular flower gift choice for expressing sentiments between friends and loved ones.
Historically, in England, people planted these flowers near their front doors or sprinkled them in bathwater for protection against evil spirits. Because of this, larkspur was a common sight in cottage gardens.
The blue and indigo varieties of larkspur have been used to create natural dyes for fabrics and crafts. Native Americans historically utilized these flowers for this purpose, extracting beautiful blue pigments from the petals.
There are over 300 varieties of larkspur, and they have a variety of characteristics and growing patterns.
The Larkspur Confusion
There are two types of larkspur: annual and perennial larkspur. The annual variety (Consolida) is a type of Delphinium (and separated out from it) with almost the same growth habit except the flowers are slightly different shaped and, of course, it's an annual. The perennial type (Delphinium proper) is also called larkspur but it should just be called Delphinium to avoid confusion. In this article, we are talking about the annual species, Consolida, although the growing instructions and benefits are the same for both types.
It is confusing, though, because in many seed catalogs you will see Consolida or Delphinium just listed as larkspur. When ordering larkspur seeds or plants, always check the Latin name to make sure you are getting the one you want.
Benefits of Growing Larkspur
One of the most important ecological advantages of growing larkspur is its ability to attract beneficial pollinators. These magnificent flowers are natural magnets for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
Larkspur is also great for natural pest management. The flower contains compounds that are toxic to many garden pests, making these plants natural allies in pest reduction techniques. While this toxicity means you should exercise caution around children and pets, it also means that incorporating larkspur into your garden design can help reduce pests.
Garden Design With Larkspur
The towering flower spikes of larkspur are an impressive vertical element that instantly elevates any garden design. These dramatic blooms, reaching heights of up to six feet, are natural focal points that draw the eye. They can add architectural interest to otherwise flat garden spaces. Larkspur is great used as backdrop plantings, in mixed borders, or as standalone specimens. Their impressive stature brings dimension and drama to garden compositions.
Larkspur pairs beautifully with numerous companion plants. Their vertical form provides perfect contrast to mounding or spreading plants like catmint, coreopsis, or hardy geraniums. For a cottage garden aesthetic, combine larkspur with other traditional favorites such as roses, foxgloves, and peonies. In more contemporary designs, their form and structure complement ornamental grasses and plants with distinctive foliage.
How to grow Larkspur
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Fall Planting (Zones 5b and warmer): Sow seeds 4-6 weeks before the first frost when soil temperatures cool below 55°F.
Spring Planting: Sow seeds as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring. - Choose a spot in full sun with well-drained soil. Larkspur tolerates light shade but may flop and require extra staking. Full sun is very important for these flowers.
- Loosen the soil in your planting area to create a good seedbed. Make sure the soil drains well but holds consistent moisture.
- Cold Stratify Seeds (Optional but Recommended) - Pre-chill seeds for 7 days at 35°F to improve germination. Store the seeds in the refrigerator before planting.
- Plant the Seeds
- Sow seeds ¼ inch deep
- Space seeds approximately 4 inches apart
- Cover seeds with soil (darkness is required for germination)
- Do not firm the soil too heavily.
- When seedlings emerge and grow several inches tall, thin them to 10-12 inches apart. This spacing allows proper air circulation and growth.
- Water weekly during dry periods to keep soil uniformly moist but not overly saturated. Larkspur needs moisture to thrive and prevent stunted growth.
- Add a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around plants to keep soil cool, shaded, and moist.
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Install stakes or support structures early in the growing season when plants are still small, allowing stems to grow naturally around the supports. These are tall plants, and the abundance of flowers often makes the stems bend over with the weight.
You can also plant larkspur closely together so they support each other, or place them near walls and structures. For container growing, use pots at least 12 inches wide with adequate weight at the bottom. - Remove faded flowers to encourage more blooms throughout the season. Leave some flowers intact at season's end if you want them to self-seed.