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Delphinium Blue Bird Group (Candle Larkspur)

Candle Larkspur 'Blue Bird', Candle Delphinium 'Blue Bird', Delphinium 'Blue Bird', Delphinium 'Pacific Giant Blue Bird', Pacific Giant Series

Delphinium Blue Bird Group, Delphinium 'Blue Bird', Delphinium 'Pacific Giant Blue Bird', Pacific Giant Series, Blue Delphinium, Blue flowers

Prized by gardeners, Delphinium Blue Bird Group (Candle Larkspur) are tall perennials with spectacular flower spikes, densely packed with single, white-eyed, clear blue flowers. Blooming for weeks from early to midsummer, these Pacific Giant hybrids add a wonderful architectural presence in the garden and draw attention from quite a distance. Rising from a low mound of glossy, divided leaves, they have a neat compact habit. Splendid in cottage gardens.

  • Grows up to 4-6 ft. tall (120-180 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm). May require staking
  • Performs best in full sun in fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Provide a sheltered location to protect your plants from strong winds.
  • Apply a balanced liquid every couple of weeks in the growing season. For best flower spikes thin shoots when 3 in. high (7cm) to leave a minimum of 2-3 shoots on young plants and 5-7 shoots on established plants.
  • Attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies, but ignored by deer and rabbits!
  • A welcomed addition to beds and borders, cottage gardens, or city gardens. For the best visual impact, plant your Delphiniums in groups. Excellent as cut flowers, they deserve a spot in your cutting garden.
  • Removing faded spikes at the base will encourage repeat blooming in the fall. Deadhead by cutting spent flower spikes back to small flowering side shoots. Cut down all growth to ground level after it has withered in autumn.
  • Propagate by seed, or by taking pencil-thick basal cuttings in early spring.
  • Keep an eye out for slugs, snails, leaf miners, caterpillars, powdery mildew, and crown rot.
  • All parts of the plant may cause severe discomfort if ingested.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses. Poisoning is rare in humans, however, seeds and plants if ingested can lead to severe illness, paralysis, and even death.

 

Delphinium (Larkspur): Plant Care and Growing Guide


Adding splendor and architectural height to borders, Delphiniums are elegant and stately perennials, biennials or annuals, which form incredibly eye-catching flower spikes in summer.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Delphinium
Common names Delphinium, Larkspur
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Delphinium New Zealand ‘Stars’ (Candle Larkspur)
Delphinium New Zealand ‘Mini Stars’ (Candle Larkspur)
Delphinium ‘Red Lark’ (Candle Larkspur)
Delphinium tricorne (Dwarf Larkspur)
Delphinium Astolat Group (Candle Larkspur)
Delphinium elatum ‘Million Dollar Sky’ (Candle Larkspur)

Recommended Companion Plants

Verbascum chaixii ‘Album’ (Nettle-Leaved Mullein)
Achillea ‘Inca Gold’ (Yarrow)
Rosa Boscobel (English Rose)
Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ears)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Stunning Blue Flowers to Enhance Your Garden’s Beauty
Delphinium – What Is Wrong With My Plant?
Delphinium – Pests and Diseases to Watch Out For
Delphinium
July Birth Flower: What is my Birth Flower?
Delphinium (Larkspur): Plant Care and Growing Guide
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Delphinium
Common names Delphinium, Larkspur
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Delphinium (Larkspur)
Not sure which Delphinium (Larkspur) to pick?
Compare Now

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