What they do
Provide tall, nectar-rich blooms that help feed visiting pollinators and add structure to a planting.
Plant profile
Larkspurs & delphiniums
Genus Delphinium
Larkspurs and delphiniums are tall, showy wildflowers known for their spurred blooms and strong pollinator appeal. They’re a great choice when you want vertical color in a garden bed or a large container.
Plant Type
Wildflowers (herbaceous perennials) > Larkspurs & delphiniums
Aliases
Larkspur
Native Range
This genus includes species native to parts of the Northern Hemisphere; many garden plants are cultivated varieties and may not be locally native.
Bloom window
Late spring into summer (often with a smaller repeat bloom if cut back)
OVERVIEW
About This Plant
If you want a plant that instantly adds height and drama, larkspurs and delphiniums are hard to beat. Their tall spikes can turn a plain bed into a layered planting, especially when you place them behind shorter flowers.
To help them thrive, focus on three basics: light, moisture, and support. Choose a spot with good sun (or part sun), keep the soil evenly moist during active growth, and add a stake or ring early so stems don’t topple after wind or rain.
For pollinators, the best approach is to plant them as part of a mix. Combine delphiniums with earlier and later bloomers so there’s always something flowering nearby. And when pests show up, try simple, non-chemical fixes first—healthy plants and pesticide-free gardens are friendlier places for pollinators to feed.
Best role for pollinators
Adding tall, pollinator-friendly flower spikes to sunny beds, borders, and large containers
FAST FACTS
Quick Details
Essential stats and requirements for quick reference.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Larkspur |
| Bloom window | Late spring into summer (often with a smaller repeat bloom if cut back) |
| Typical height | Medium to tall (often knee- to chest-high, sometimes taller with support) |
| Pollinators supported | Bees, Butterflies |
| Light & moisture | Sun to part sun; evenly moist, well-drained soil. |
| Best roles for pollinators | Adding tall, pollinator-friendly flower spikes to sunny beds, borders, and large containers |
SUMMARY
If You Remember Three Things
A quick scan of what they do, what they need, and the best first step.
What they need
Good light, steady moisture, and a bit of support to keep flower spikes from flopping.
One best action
Add a simple stake or ring support early—before the stems get tall.
IMPACT
Why Plant This?
Larkspurs and delphiniums add tall, nectar-rich blooms that can help make a garden more welcoming to pollinators while also giving your planting a strong vertical “backbone.”
The name Delphinium is linked to the idea of a dolphin shape in the flower bud—once you see it, it’s hard to unsee.
Key Impacts
What it Supports
- Flower spikes create a clear “landing zone” for many visiting insects.
- Tall blooms add variety to a garden’s shape, which can help you fit more kinds of flowers into one space.
- A single clump can make a noticeable impact in a bed or a large pot.
RECOGNITION
Identification Guide
Use these quick clues to recognize larkspurs and delphiniums in gardens and plantings.
Leaves
Leaves are usually deeply divided into narrow lobes, often forming a rounded, hand-like shape near the base.
Flowers
Many blossoms line up on a tall spike; each flower has a noticeable spur at the back.
Fruits
After flowering, seed pods form along the spike where blooms were.
LOCATION
Where It Grows
Native environments and the best spots to place it in your landscape.
Habitats
- Garden beds and borders
- Meadow-style plantings
- Open, sunny edges with good drainage
Where it is often used
- Back of the border height and color
- Pollinator-friendly mixed beds
- Cottage-style plantings
- Large containers (with regular watering and support)
SEASONALITY
When It Blooms
Notes on bloom windows and how this plant helps pollinators across the seasons.
Bloom window
Delphiniums often shine from late spring into summer, with timing that can shift depending on the year and the site.
Bloom Season Role: A tall “spike” bloomer that adds vertical color and a strong mid-season nectar stop.
Seasonal benefits
- Adds a strong vertical accent when many plants are still filling in
- Can offer a second, smaller flush of blooms if spent spikes are cut back
- Pairs well with earlier and later bloomers for a longer season of flowers
REQUIREMENTS
What It Needs
The right mix of sun, soil, and space for healthy growth.
Sun exposure
Aim for sun to part sun. In hotter, exposed spots, a little afternoon shade can help plants look fresher.
Soil type
Rich, well-drained soil is ideal. Mix in compost to improve texture and support steady growth.
Moisture needs
Water deeply when the top layer of soil starts to dry. Try to keep moisture consistent during active growth and flowering.
Planting method
Plant where stems can be supported and where wind won’t knock them over. Give plants space so air can move between stems.
Mulching tips
Use a light layer of mulch to help hold moisture and reduce weeds, keeping mulch a little away from the crown.
GARDENING GUIDE
How to Grow It
Simple steps to plant, prune, and maintain healthy trees without pesticides.
Planting tips
- Choose a sunny to partly sunny spot with well-drained soil.
- Mix in compost to improve soil and help it hold moisture without staying soggy.
- Plant at the same depth as the pot, firm the soil gently, and water in well.
- Add a stake or ring support early, before stems get tall.
- Water regularly until established, then keep moisture steady during bloom time.
Seasonal care
- Stake or support stems early to prevent flopping.
- Water during dry spells to avoid stress and fewer blooms.
- Remove spent flower spikes to tidy the plant and encourage possible repeat blooming.
- Keep weeds down so plants don’t have to compete for water and nutrients.
- Watch for chewing pests and use simple, low-impact controls first (hand-picking, barriers, or a strong water spray).
What not to do
- Planting in a windy spot without support
- Letting the soil swing between very dry and very wet
- Crowding plants too closely
- Reaching for pesticides as a first response to pests
Pairings
Best Pairings for Season-Long Bloom
Pairing ideas to keep pollinators fed throughout the growing season.
Early Bloom
- Columbines
- Spring bulbs (in mixed beds)
- Early-blooming native wildflowers suited to your area
Mid-Season Bloom
- Salvias
- Catmint
- Yarrow
Late-Season Bloom
- Asters
- Goldenrods
- Late-blooming daisies suited to your area
Some larkspurs and delphiniums can be harmful if eaten. If you have curious pets or small children, place plants where they’re less likely to be handled or nibbled.
GLOSSARY
Key Terms
A few helpful terms you might see on plant tags or in garden guides:
Glossary terms are being added.
What You Can Do
Make a difference for native habitats.
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.