Delphinium elatum

Delphinium elatum

 

Common name: delphinium, larkspur

Family: Ranunculaceae

Leaf: Palmately lobed green leaves are 5-7 parted near the base.

Flowers: Spicate flowering stems to 3-5’ tall are topped in late spring to early summer (June- July)with erect, terminal, often spectacular, central flower spikes (racemes) which are densely packed with showy blue florets (25-100 per raceme). Each floret (to 1” across) has 5 blunt, glabrous, petal-like, blue outer sepals, and two pairs of smaller true petals, with the lower two petals being yellow-bearded. The central raceme is surrounded by a number of smaller secondary flowering racemes (sidespikes) which develop from leaf joints below the primary bloom. Wide variety of colours amongst hybrids: pinks, whites, purples, blues.

Habit: herbaceous perennial; Form: upright, spike

Culture: Grows well in alkaline soils.Winter hardy to USDA Zones 3-7 where this delphinium is best grown in fertile, humus rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun.  Appreciates some part afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Prefers climates with cool summer temperatures. Generally not recommended for growing in hot and humid summer climates south of USDA Zone 7. Plants require protection from strong winds and rain storms via sheltered growing positions and staking. After bloom, promptly cut back spent flower spikes to the basal foliage to encourage an additional late summer and/or fall bloom. Straight species plants may be grown from seed and may self-seed in the garden. All parts of plant are toxic if ingested.

Uses: Cottage gardens. Back of beds and borders. Best in groupings or massed. Plant against a fence or wall for protection from wind. Excellent cut flower.

Origin: Europe, northern and central Asia

 

D. elatum 'Coral Sunset'

 

 

 

D. elatum 'Cobalt Dreams'