Plant Finder

Other Names:  Dwarf Delphinium

Description:

This native is a compact, bushy form of delphinium; it is covered with larkspur type flowers that vary in shades of dark purple with blue; wispy, finely-cut foliage makes this a graceful and beautiful addition to the garden

Ornamental Features

Dwarf Spring Larkspur features bold panicles of blue flowers with violet overtones and white eyes at the ends of the stems from early to mid summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its deeply cut lobed leaves remain dark green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Dwarf Spring Larkspur is an herbaceous perennial with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It is a good choice for attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Insects
• Disease

Dwarf Spring Larkspur is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Dwarf Spring Larkspur will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity extending to 24 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 10 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 8 inches apart. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets.

Dwarf Spring Larkspur is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It can be used either as 'filler' or as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, depending on the height and form of the other plants used in the container planting. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.