Plant Calculator
Enter the approximate length and width of the area you will be planting and click 'Calculate' to determine how many Delphinium exaltatum you will need.
Correct and successful spacing is complex and depends on project conditions. We encourage you to call us at 877-ECO-PLUG for project specific recommendations and further assistance.
Delphinium exaltatum
tall larkspur
- Category: Perennial
- Hardiness Zone: 5-8
- Height: 3-6 Feet
- Spread: 1-3 Feet
- Spacing: 12 Inches
- Bloom Color: Blue
Wow! A blue-flowered Delphinium for bright to average shade and it is native to woodland glades from Alabama to Pennsylvania. Ours came to us thanks to the generosity of the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, Ohio. Spikes of spurred blue flowers top 3-6' stems from July to September. A welcome addition to the woodland edge or bright shade border.
Plug Type
| • | Horticultural Plug |
Season of Interest (Flowering)
| • | Summer |
Propagation Type
| • | Open pollinated |
Additional Information about Delphinium exaltatum
"Delphinium exaltatum is an attractive and floriferous native woodland-edge perennial that is equally at home in the home garden border. Growing to a height of 4’, this summer-blooming perennial has attractive medium-green, palmate leaves and narrow stalks of showy, deep blue-purple flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Tall larkspur excels in moisture-retentive, well-drained, humus-rich, slightly alkaline soil and prefers filtered shade to full sun. Delphinium exaltatum is an attractive addition to the garden when planted en masse with Coreopsis tripteris, Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’, Vernonia angustifolia, Silphium simpsonii, and Veronicastrum virginicum." - Mt. Cuba Center
"Tall larkspur has grayish green leaves divided into 5 lobes that are in turn divided into 3 teeth at their tips. It is a large and vigorous plant. It blooms fairly late, so the foliage remains in good condition most of the summer." - William Cullina, Growing and Propagating Wildflowers
According to the Dictionary of Botanical Epithets, exaltatum means 'very tall.'
Growing & Maintenance Tips for Delphinium exaltatum
Grow in partial to full shade in rich soil with high organic content. Seeds in freely when happy. Prefers average to rich soils with good drainage and is quite drought tolerant once established. Not one for clay!