Larkspur – July birth flower

Often the names of delphiniums and larkspurs are used interchangeably, but they are different species.  True Larkspurs are annual plants whereas Delphiniums are mainly short lived perennials (but some varities can also be biennial or annual). Both plants look similar with tall stalks of blooms.  Delphinium blooms are tightly packed on the stem and Larkspurs have fewer flowers on the stem.  Larkspurs have airy fern-like foliage and Delphiniums have larger leaves.  

Larkspurs are cool season annuals and bloom in early summer. They are popular cut flowers and cottage garden flowers.   Their tall spikes of flowers are great for adding height to a flower border.   Some tall varieties may need to be staked.  Heights can range from 1 to 3 feet.   Flowers bloom on single stalks in colors from purple, pink, and white.Seeds can be direct sown after danger of frost. 

Plant them exactly where you want them since they don’t like to be moved.  The seeds need cool temperatures (in the 50s) to germinate.  If we get a week or so of very warm temperatures in May then these seeds may not germinate. Larkspur seeds can be sown indoors using a cold treatment for germination. Many gardeners put the seeds in a refrigerator for a week or so first before planting and keeping in a cool room until they germinate.   Plant the seeds in biodegradable pots.  After danger of frost is past, plant the entire biodegradable pot in the garden. Larkspurs like full sun and well-drained soil. 

They appreciate consistent, but not too much, watering.  They are good at handling drought.The blooms are loved by butterflies and hummingbirds.  Deer and rabbits leave them alone.  These flowers are toxic so use caution when planting around kids or pets. Use gloves when handling the plant because the leaves can cause skin irritations for some people. These plants are heavy feeders and it’s often easier to fertilize them if they are gown in containers.   When the hot humid weather arrives the flowers may decline, when that happens then they can be replaced with hot weather annuals.