A: Larkspur or delphinium is grown as an annual here in Northeast Florida, but in northern and western parts of the U.S. it can be a perennial. It can easily be propagated by seed and is often available as a beautiful plant in the spring. Check your favorite seed catalog company for potential favorites. Just remember to re-order each fall. What makes this plant so exceptional is the bloom color is a true blue, which is rare in the plant kingdom. However, the color of the bloom is not limited to blue, other colors such as yellow, pink and white also occur. Each seed produces a tall stalk reaching heights averaging 2-3 feet, although a few can grow to 6 feet! Larkspurs prefer cool weather therefore it germinates in the winter here and blooms in the early spring. Larkspurs are unable to handle our hot, humid summers and they will die back once the temperatures get too warm. This plant also makes a wonderful cut flower, just be sure to clip it just prior to peak blooming. One additional note: delphiniums are poisonous to humans and some animals if eaten so be sure to keep the family pet out of the flower bed if they are prone to tasting the landscape.

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