Delphinium ithaburense (Blue larkspur)

Botanical name

Delphinium ithaburense

Other names

Delphinium fissum subsp. ithaburense, Delphinium salmoneum, Blue larkspur

Genus

Delphinium Delphinium

Species

D. ithaburense - D. ithaburense is a rosette-forming perennial with purple-flushed, dark green leaves divided into five lobed leaflets and erect stems bearing spikes of hairy, long-spurred, elf-cap-shaped, pale pink, cream, or pale blue flowers in summer.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Rosette, Erect flower stem

Toxicity

All parts of the plant are highly toxic and usually fatal if ingested. Contact with sap may cause skin irritation.

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Colour

Flower

Pale-pink in Summer

Foliage

Flushed purple, Dark-green in Spring; Flushed purple, Dark-green in Summer; Flushed purple, Dark-green in Autumn

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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

Sow seed in a cold frame in spring.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Delphinium ithaburense (Blue larkspur) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Flower Arranging, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders

Cultivation

Grow in a fertile, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in a sheltered, sunny site. Does not tolerate wet winter conditions. May inhibit the growth of nearby plants.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained, Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Delphinium ithaburense (Blue larkspur)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Phytophthora tentaculata Kröber & Marwitz - All Hosts

Type

Oomycete

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous pathogen present in parts of Europe and beyond.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/