Larkspur flowers are easy to grow and even easier to take care of. Delphinium Guardian Lavender (Candle Larkspur) I love the pale blue and lavender flowers that you can find on this plant during the summer months. Soil should never dry out for the Larkspurs. Planting larkspur seeds can be a challenging process; you’ll need patience. It is grown for its showy spikes of long-lasting flowers that begin blooming in late spring or early summer. Striking, tall flower spikes make delphiniums an eye-catching accent in the flower bed or border garden up to U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 9. Spiked speedwell is a clump-forming plant with flowers that grow on stalks of medium height. D. elatum is also a source of hybrids. Like other species in the Veronica genus, it belongs to the plantain family. How to grow. Johnny's Selected Seeds 955 Benton Ave. Winslow, Maine 04901 * 1-877-564-6697 Candle delphinium (Delphinium elatum) Also known as candle larkspur, this delphinium species blooms in shades including blue, purple, pink, and white. With airy stalks of blue blossoms, this plant adds a gracefulness to any garden and looks good in masses or mixed with other perennials and annuals. 5. The blooms almost have a tie-dye effect that attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Water Larkspur plants during the summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. In summer, larkspur must be poured regularly. Growing Larkspur From Seeds. Cultivation Grow in a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun; shelter from strong winds and stake well. For best flower spikes thin shoots when 7cm high to leave a minimum of 2-3 shoots on young plants and 5-7 shoots on established plants Often grown as an ornamental, the elatum group of delphiniums requires extra care and maintenance. 4. Apply a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds on Larkspur beds. They can be transplanted, but this involves a lot of care and attention. Annual larkspur flowers are often grown from seeds. How to Prune Delphinium. These clump-forming perennials are known by the common names alpine delphinium or candle larkspur. During flowering, it is advisable to apply liquid fertilizer every three weeks for the heavy eater, if the stalks are cut off a hand’s width above the ground immediately after the flowers have withered. This group is where you'll find many hybrid selections, including the Pacific strain hybrids, which have been known to grow to 8 feet tall. They do great in full sun or part shade, but they cannot tolerate windy conditions very well. Delphinium elatum is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, known by the common name alpine delphinium or candle larkspur.There are several popular cultivars covering a range of colours from blue and purple to pink, cream, and white, which are grown as ornamental plants. Bloom colors range from blue and purple to white, cream, and pink. Larkspur plant care Larkspurs are best started from seed in spring or fall. care tips When budding in spring, ensure a good nutrient supply with compost and horn meal. They showcase numerous single, semi-double, or double flowers in early to mid-summer. Larkspur is a classic cottage garden staple that produces great cut flowers. Here’s what you need to know. A true annual, larkspur is easy to start from seed and will happily reseed itself in the garden year after year.