If delphiniums have repeatedly wilted in your garden, consider swapping them for larkspur.
Larkspur, an annual kin of the perennial delphinium, rarely whines about the weather. Where delphiniums crave cool air, steady moisture, and constant fussing, larkspurs shrug off hiccups and soldier on.
These flowers-Consolida ajacis-shoot up tall early in the season and cast a cheerful splash of color. Check for their brilliant pink, blue, or white clusters as spring rolls in.
They are similar to delphiniums in that they have:
- A vertical form,
- Green feathery foliage,
- Clusters of pink, blue, or white flowers forming on their stalks.
Larkspur first arrived in England from Italy during the sixteenth century, and it quickly charmed gardeners.
Early colonists then carried the flower to America, where it became a showpiece in colonial plots. Even today, larkspur looks lovely indoors as cut stems arranged in simple vases.
The bloom is straightforward to raise and requires very little fuss once established. Read on for a brief primer.
Growing Larkspur From Seeds
Sowing larkspur seeds can test your patience, so be prepared. Although the annual variety is often started directly from seed, many people prefer to transplant seedlings.
Doing so, however, demands constant attention because the plants develop deep taproots that resent disturbance. Move them too late and growth may stall, so sowing directly is best for most home gardeners.
Larkspur seeds also need a cold spell before they germinate. You can achieve this chill in one of three ways:
- Before you plant the seeds.
- After you have planted the seeds in pots.
- After you have sown the seeds into the flower bed.
A simple way to start larkspur seeds is to chill them in the fridge before planting. In fact, that trick is usually the most dependable.
Before their final placement in soil, the seeds benefit from a two-week cold break. Put them into a zip-top bag with a small handful of damp perlite; the perlite supplies just enough moisture.
Another option is to start the seeds in lightweight pots or window boxes you can easily move. Remember that larkspur will stretch, so choose containers strong enough to carry their height and weight.
If you have a cool room or basement that stays between 40 and 50 degrees, moisten some seed-starting mix, plant the seeds, and leave them there for the same two weeks.Above 65 degrees the seeds simply will not sprout.
Timing is crucial, since larkspur needs to go in before the first hard frost. Sow early enough for the roots to establish, or the plants may buckle under winter chill.
In most cases germination takes two to three weeks. Sow directly in the garden in early spring or in the fall if you live in a warm zone.
Give the seeds thorough watering to encourage strong roots, yet avoid allowing the soil to pool. Once true leaves have developed, you may transfer the seedlings to their final pots or plant them in the garden.
After this, care demands little more than routine observation; in fact, these annuals rank among the least labor-intensive. Just appreciate their presence outdoors, or snip a few stems for a bright bouquet indoors.
Optimal Growing Conditions for Larkspur
Although larkspur survives in most soils, it performs best in light, well-aerated loam. Where clay dominates, work in ample compost or well-aged manure to improve drainage.
These plants prefer full sun paired with soil that remains gently moist. They demand less water than true delphiniums, yet blooms fade if heat drains the ground.During hot months, supply water whenever weekly rain falls below one inch.
In early spring, spread a thin blanket of compost and top it with two inches of shredded bark or straw to retain moisture. This pairing will also smother most weeds that compete with the larkspur.
Larkspur blends easily with other native or cottage flowers. Try coreopsis, daisies, lavender, black-eyed Susans, or coneflowers for a lively combination.
The stout perennials grow surprisingly fast, often reaching three feet within a single season. In strong gusts, slender stems may lean and require discreet stakes.
Larkspur seeds itself generously around the bed. Viewed one way, that creates new plants without any fuss; viewed another, it may spark unwanted volunteers down the row.
On one hand, wild larkspur can spread quickly and take over large areas of your garden. On the other, a single planting can produce blooms for years without needing to be sown again.
If it does spread beyond intention, cut back the spent stems and pull any new seedlings as soon as you spot them.
That trait explains why some people label wild larkspur a nuisance plant, especially in pastures. The foliage contains deadly alkaloids, so any livestock that grazes the patch risks poisoning and even death.
In certain regions, ranchers report losses as high as 15 percent of their herds after animals eat larkspur.
In a home garden, remember that ornamental larkspur seeds are toxic. Always plant them out of reach of curious children and pets.
How to Keep Pests Away
Larkspur shares many foes with delphinium, including snails, slugs, powdery mildew, and root rot.
During a blazing summer, a delphinium-and, by extension, a larkspur-may look especially droopy. This quirk, mostly cosmetic, usually appears during the sultry haze of late summer.
Should foliage or buds turn brown, prune them back to revive the bed. Leave a few heads intact so self-seeding can furnish next years blooms.
To curb rot and mildew, water with soaker hoses instead of overhead jets. The soil should feel damp, not waterlogged.
To keep your larkspur happy:
- Set snail traps to deter snails and slugs.
- Treat powdery mildew with fungicides.
- Cut down severely infected plants and discard them.
Larkspur Cultivars Worth Trying
A variety of cultivars are available for your garden:
- The ‘Sublime’ plant produces 4 feet tall stalks with a profusion of blooms.
- When it comes to ‘Imperial’ larkspur, the flower colors are purple, blue, pink, and white and can reach 4 feet.
- ‘Cloudy Skies’ is a mix that includes blue, purple, white, and silver flowers. The plants grow to be 3 feet tall.
Gardeners who enjoy making quick bouquets may appreciate fifteen simple, chemical-free tips for keeping cut flowers fresh.
Larkspur is also convenient for cutting because it self-seeds generously each season, providing a new crop of blooms with little extra work.
Larkspur makes an especially good cut flower. Just trim a few almost-finished stems with scissors and drop them in water. The blooms look lovely on their own or blended with other varieties.
Two species-Consolida orientalis and Consolida ambigua-are widely praised for this purpose.
When harvesting for drying or commercial use, pick stems early in the day before the sun wilts them. If you wait too long, blossoms may start shedding within twenty-four hours.
Once dried well, the petals hold their vivid hue remarkably. Flowers open in shades of violet, bright blue, or crisp white, giving any garden or room a striking splash of color.