Rocket Larkspur - Delphinium Consolida

Approximate seeds per pound: 180,000
Seeding rate: Plant Larkspur wild flower seed at 10 pounds per acre
Height: Up to 3 ft.
Flower Color: Blue to purple, pink and white
Plant Type: Annual. Lives just one year. Grows quickly, blooms heavily, dies with first frost. Can regrow following spring if seed falls on bare ground.
Flower Type: Tall spike covered with spurred flowers.
Bloom Time: Mid and late season
Are Larkspur wildflowers invasive? No
Are Larkspur wildflowers endangered? No
Are Larkspur wildflowers edible? No
Are Larkspur wildflowers medicinal? No
Regions: All regions of North America.
Zones: 3 - 9
Soil preference: Needs plenty of moisture with well-draining conditions.
Sun/Shade: Full sun
Moisture Requirements: Above average but well-drained.
Germination: 15 - 30 days
Optimum soil temperature for germination: 50F - 60F
Sowing depth: Sow Larkspur wild flower seed 1/8"

Larkspur is an annual flower grown from wild flower seed. It normally grows between 2 to 3 feet tall depending on soil fertility and moisture. It usually has 2 or 3 forking stems which are branched. The alternate leaves are sessile, palmately divided, and up to 3" long and across. Their lobes repeatedly subdivide into smaller lobes that are narrowly linear, providing the leaves with a lacy appearance. They are slightly pubescent and often have a silky appearance. The stems of Larkspur terminate into spike-like racemes of blue-violet flowers. Each Larkspur flower reaches approximately 2 inches in diameter and consists of 5 petal-like sepals, 4 petals, a single pistil, and some stamens with light blue anthers. The upper sepal forms a hood in front and an upward-curving spur in back about 1" long. The middle and lower sepals are well-rounded and spreading.

Larkspur blooms during the summer and lasts about 1 - 2 months. Each flower is replaced by a pod containing numerous small black wild flower seeds. These seeds are small enough to be dispersed by gusts of wind. The root system is a slender branching taproot. Larkspur, like many wild flowers, can reseed itself if wild flower seed is allowed to drop on the ground. Seed will lay dormant until temperatures and moisture are sufficient to cause germination.

Caution: The wild flower seeds and leaves of the Rocket Larkspur are poisonous if consumed.