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Tall larkspur

Delphinium exultatum

Common names:
tall larkspur, American bee larkspur

Content Detail

Native to the Eastern United States, tall larkspur tends to grow on wooded hillsides. This 2 to 6 foot plant blooms light purple in late spring to early summer on upright stems. A large, sturdy plant, tall larkspur will tolerate more shade than the garden varieties and reseeds easily when happy.

  • Family (English) Buttercup
  • Family (botanic) Ranunculaceae
  • Tree or plant type Perennial
  • Native locale North America
  • Size range Large plant (more than 24 inches)
  • Light exposure Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Season of interest early summer, midsummer
  • Flower color and fragrance Blue, Purple
  • Shape or form Upright
  • Growth rate Moderate

Size: 

Tall larkspur gets 2 to 6 feet tall and about 2 feet wide.

Native geographic location and habitat: 

Native to the east central United States.

Pollinators and wildlife: 

Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.

Leaf description: 

Dark green leaves have three to five well-defined lobes in a spiral arrangement.

Flower description: 

Light purple flowers are loosely arranged on a spike. The flowers are up to 1 inch wide and consist of five sepals, of which the uppermost one extends backward in a spur.

Fruit description: 

Each flower produces three or more achenes (small, dry fruit) that contain a single seed.

Plant Care:

Tall larkspur prefers moist, well-drained sites in part shade. Requires wind protection. Dislikes hot, humid weather.

List of pests, diseases, and tolerances:

Powdery mildew, bacterial disease, root and crown rots, slugs, and snails. Deer and rabbit resistant, as all parts of the plant are poisonous.

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