Larkspur
Consolida
Larkspur blooms from May through July.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Larkspur
Plant it in full sun. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 2–11. Expect it to reach about 3 ft tall and 8 in wide at maturity, in roughly 1 year.
When to plant Larkspur
Wait until all danger of frost has passed, then plant out Larkspur into warm soil; in most zones that means late spring. Planted then, it flowers from May to July.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 6 in April.
Comes in 5 varieties across 4 colors
Same plant, same care - pick the color you are growing.
Good to know about Larkspur
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Safety
Every part is poisonous to people, dogs, cats, horses and livestock; seeds and young foliage are worst. Serious illness or death is possible. per ASPCA and NC State
Worth knowing
The very toxicity that makes larkspur dangerous is what makes it deer- and rabbit-proof: browsing animals avoid the poisonous foliage. per NC State
A cool-season annual
It is a cool-season annual: direct-sow in fall or very early spring so it flowers before summer heat arrives and ends the display. per Penn State and Iowa State
Stake the tall spikes
Tall flower spikes tend to flop and may need staking or grow-through support, set early in the season. per NC State
Deadheading removes toxic seeds
Deadheading spent spikes does double duty: it limits self-seeding and removes the seeds, which are among the most poisonous parts, from reach. per NC State and ASPCA
Draws bees and hummingbirds
The spurred, nectar-bearing flowers draw butterflies, hummingbirds and bumblebees; the backward nectar spur suits long-tongued visitors. A moderate, not top-tier, pollinator plant. per NC State and Penn State
What pairs well with Larkspur
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Perennial Sunflower
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in late summer as this one finishes; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds.
Ironweed
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in late summer as this one finishes; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds.
Sneezeweed
Shares full sun and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into early fall; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; both offer pollinator forage.
Fountain Grass
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; blooms in late summer as this one finishes; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; orange against blue, for contrast.
Pampas Grass
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; blooms in late summer as this one finishes; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; taller at 8.2 ft, for the layer behind it.
Flowering Cherry
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; a soft color beside the blue.
Switchgrass
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; blooms in late summer as this one finishes; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds; taller at 4.9 ft, for the layer behind it.
Eastern Redbud
Takes full sun to part sun and moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; stands well above at 23 ft, a canopy to plant beneath.
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