Carolina larkspur
Delphinium carolinianum
USDA zones3 to 10
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size12 to 24 inches tall9 to 18 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Blue-violet
- Foliage color
- Gray/silver, green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Carolina larkspur (Delphinium carolinianum) is a perennial for borders, cottage gardens, meadows, and pollinator gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and dry to moist soil of most types. Blue-violet spurred flowers open in a narrow spike and draw butterflies and hummingbirds. The basal leaves form a winter rosette that withers before the flowers open, so plant it in clusters for the best show. Deer and rabbits tend to browse other plants first.
Pairs well with Standing Ovation little bluestem, Lanceleaf coreopsis, and Spotted joe-pye weed.
Native range
North America.