Delphinium Species, Tall Larkspur

Delphiniumexaltatum

Family
Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Delphinium (del-FIN-ee-um)
Species
exaltatum (eks-all-TAY-tum)
Synonym
Delphinium tridactylum
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
Danger
Seed is poisonous if ingested
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Medium Purple
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

East Haddam, Connecticut

Valparaiso, Indiana

Gambrills, Maryland

Blackduck, Minnesota

Hudson, New Hampshire

Fairborn, Ohio

Enid, Oklahoma

Leesburg, Virginia

Lexington, Virginia

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
0
neutral
0
negative
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P
Valparaiso, IN | May 2013 | positive

Tall Blue Larkspur thrives in shade too! Give it rich well-drained soil in light to medium shade and it will reward you with many years o...Read More

B
Blackduck, MN | July 2007 | positive

As previously stated this is a very tall plant. Its in its second year in my garden is over 4 feet tall. It doesn't seem to be too fus...Read More

E
E
EdZ
Gambrills, MD (Zone 7b) | July 2006 | positive

2005 was my first experience with larkspur. I didn't plant it so I figure a bird deposited a few seeds in my garden.
This year it ...Read More

Featured
Western Conifer Seed Bug
(Leptoglossus occidentalis)
Allen’s Hummingbird
(Selasphorus sasin)
Featured
Western Conifer Seed Bug
(Leptoglossus occidentalis)
Allen’s Hummingbird
(Selasphorus sasin)