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skill rating
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Delphinium carolinianum (Carolina larkspur )
2 hours care
per year
per year
0.6m
Max height
Max height
0.45m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Delphinium carolinianum
Other names
Carolina larkspur , Wild larkspur, Azure-flowered larkspur
Genus
Delphinium Delphinium
Species
D. carolinianum - D. carolinianum is a clump-forming, deciduous perennial with palmate, dark green leaves deeply divided into linear lobes and erect stems bearing terminal spikes of spurred, violet, blue, or white flowers in spring.
Delphinium carolinianum is: Deciduous
Habit
Erect flower stem, Clump-forming
Toxicity
All parts of the plant may cause severe discomfort if ingested. Contact with sap may cause skin irritation.
Flower
White, Violet, Blue in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Caterpillars , Slugs , Snails , Leaf-mining sawflies Caterpillars , Slugs , Snails , Leaf-mining sawflies
Black blotch of Delphinium , Crown rot , Powdery mildew Black blotch of Delphinium , Crown rot , Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Deadhead by cutting spent flower spikes back to small flowering side shoots. Cut back to ground level after foliage has died back in autumn.
Propagation
Divide every 3-4 years to maintain vigour. Take basal cuttings in early spring. Tends to self-seed in ideal growing conditions.
Propagation methods
Basal cuttings, Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Delphinium carolinianum (Carolina larkspur ) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.45m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained, preferably neutral to alkaline soil in sun. Shelter from strong winds. Best with afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Prefers cool summer temperatures. Not recommended for hot, humid climates.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, East
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Delphinium carolinianum
Other names
Carolina larkspur , Wild larkspur, Azure-flowered larkspur
Genus
Delphinium Delphinium
Species
D. carolinianum - D. carolinianum is a clump-forming, deciduous perennial with palmate, dark green leaves deeply divided into linear lobes and erect stems bearing terminal spikes of spurred, violet, blue, or white flowers in spring.
Native to
North America
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Erect flower stem, Clump-forming
Toxicity
All parts of the plant may cause severe discomfort if ingested. Contact with sap may cause skin irritation.
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Colour
Flower
White, Violet, Blue in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Caterpillars , Slugs , Snails , Leaf-mining sawflies
Specific diseases
Black blotch of Delphinium , Crown rot , Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Deadhead by cutting spent flower spikes back to small flowering side shoots. Cut back to ground level after foliage has died back in autumn.
Propagation
Divide every 3-4 years to maintain vigour. Take basal cuttings in early spring. Tends to self-seed in ideal growing conditions.
Propagation methods
Basal cuttings, Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Delphinium carolinianum (Carolina larkspur ) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.45m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained, preferably neutral to alkaline soil in sun. Shelter from strong winds. Best with afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Prefers cool summer temperatures. Not recommended for hot, humid climates.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, East
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, East | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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