Dwarf larkspur is a cultivar with a compact habit and many branches that reaches up to 15" in height. It was bred to be more heat-tolerant than other delphiniums. It has an abundance of showy ultramarine blue flowers that appear in the spring. Plant it in small groups or mass it in the middle or back of a border. Fertilize often for optimum performance. Continued blooming or a second bloom is often achieved by removing its spent flowers. It will grow in full sun, but provide some shade in the afternoon. The common name of Larkspur comes from the sepals, one of the five is spurred into a distinctive prong, resembling a spur. The shape of the flower bud that resembles a dolphin gives the genus its name, delphis meaning dolphin. This short-lived perennial is typically grown as an annual or a biennial. It can typically live for 3 years. This 'filler' plant makes a good choice for your 'spiller-thriller-filler' container. Cut back in the late fall to prepare for the winter months. A compact cultivar of dwarf larkspur, 'Blue Butterfly', has ultramarine blue flowers that form on loose racemes. 'Blue Butterfly, is more tolerant of heat than other delphiniums. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Snails and slugs can destroy this plant. Disease issues include crown rot, leaf spot, powdery mildew and blights. More information on Delphinium .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheChrysanthemum x morifoliumDelphinium carolinianumDianthus Jolt™ Pink 'PAS970056'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Annual; Herbaceous Perennial
Life cycle
Annual; Biennial; Perennial
USDA zones
3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Mounding
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Palmatifid
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf value
Good Cut; Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The small leaves that resemble ferns are quite delicate.
Flower color
Blue
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Panicle; Raceme
Flower shape
Irregular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Racemes of complex asymmetrical ultramarine, trumpet shaped blue flowers with five sepals. One of the sepals forms a spur, hence the common name larkspur.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit detail
The fruits are not ornamentally significant.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Russia and China
Wildlife value
The flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, as well as hummingbirds and bees.