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Flower profile

Larkspur

Quick facts

Botanical name: Consolida ajacis (annual larkspur). In SAF's language of flowers, larkspur means beautiful spirit.

Blue delphinium spikes
Photo: Valleflor

Larkspur at a glance

Meaning
beautiful spirit
Colors
  • Blue
  • Purple
  • Pink
  • White
  • Lavender
Vase life
5-7 days; 7.5-9 days in NC State trials.
Season
Early summer in northern fields; widely available as a cut flower spring through summer.
Special care
Buy spikes with 2-5 florets open at the bottom. Keep away from ripening fruit - larkspur is ethylene-sensitive and petals shatter. Re-cut, use flower food and keep cool.
Size
A tall, airy spike flower, 3 to 5 feet in the field, with many small blooms along the upper stem and lacy green foliage
Also called
Annual delphinium, Rocket larkspur

Pet safety

Larkspur/Delphinium is toxic to dogs, cats and horses.

About larkspurs

A tall, airy spike flower, 3 to 5 feet in the field, with many small blooms along the upper stem and lacy green foliage. A cottage-garden favorite for height in arrangements; it also dries well.

How to make larkspurs last

  1. Keep them cool until they are in water. Keep your flowers in a cool place until you can get them into a flower food solution.
  2. Fill a clean vase with water and flower food. Use a clean, deep vase and add the flower food from your florist, following the mixing directions on the packet.
  3. Remove leaves below the waterline. Leaves in water promote bacterial growth that can limit water uptake by the flower.
  4. Re-cut the stems. Remove one to two inches with a sharp knife or clippers that will not crush the stems, then place the flowers straight into the vase.
  5. For larkspurs. Buy spikes with 2-5 florets open at the bottom. Keep away from ripening fruit - larkspur is ethylene-sensitive and petals shatter. Re-cut, use flower food and keep cool.
  6. Keep them in a cool spot. 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents and ceiling fans.

Care steps from SAF’s flower care tips. More flower care tips →

Questions about larkspurs

What does the larkspur mean?

In the traditional language of flowers, the larkspur stands for "beautiful spirit".

What colors do larkspurs come in?

Larkspurs come in blue, purple, pink, white and lavender.

How long do larkspurs last in a vase?

5-7 days; 7.5-9 days in NC State trials. Re-cut the stems, use the flower food from your florist and keep the vase cool and out of direct sun to get the most days.

How do you care for larkspurs?

Keep larkspurs cool until they are in water, use a clean vase with flower food, remove any leaves below the waterline, re-cut the stems by one to two inches and keep the vase at 65 to 72 degrees, away from direct sunlight and vents. For larkspurs: Buy spikes with 2-5 florets open at the bottom. Keep away from ripening fruit - larkspur is ethylene-sensitive and petals shatter. Re-cut, use flower food and keep cool.

Are larkspurs safe around pets?

Larkspur/Delphinium is toxic to dogs, cats and horses.

Where can I buy larkspurs?

From a local SAF member florist. Enter the recipient's ZIP code on this page to find florists near them.

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