Elegant spires of cool-season color
| Type | Annual |
|---|---|
| Zones | All zones |
| Sun | Full sun to light shade |
| Height | 3–4 feet |
| Bloom Season | Late spring to early summer |
| Vase Life | 6–8 days |
| Start | Direct sow in fall or very early spring |
Larkspur produces tall, elegant spikes studded with open-faced blooms in blues, purples, pinks, and whites. It fills a similar role to its perennial cousin delphinium but is far easier to grow. A cool-season annual, larkspur is one of the first tall flowers to bloom in spring.
'Giant Imperial' series is the standard for cutting with 3–4 foot double-flowered spikes. Colors range from deep blue and violet to soft pink and pure white.
Larkspur strongly prefers fall sowing. In zones 6 and warmer, scatter seed directly on prepared soil in October/November. The seeds need cold to germinate and will come up in early spring. In colder zones, you can try very early spring sowing as soon as the ground thaws, but fall sowing typically gives better results. Seeds need light—press into the surface but do not cover.
Thin to 9–12 inches apart when seedlings appear. Larkspur wants full sun, cool weather, and good soil. It does not transplant well due to a taproot. Netting keeps the tall stems upright. Like sweet peas, larkspur fades once summer heat arrives.
Cut when the bottom third of the spike is open and the top buds are still tight. See harvest timing. Larkspur also dries beautifully—hang stems upside down and the color holds well.
Larkspur is a line flower that provides height and cool-toned color. Combine with sweet peas, peonies, and ferns in spring arrangements. The blue varieties offer a true blue that is rare in the garden.