Delphinium cardinale

Sunset

Delphinium elatum

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Zones 7, 14-23

Full

Moderate

Scarlet Larkspur
Ranunculaceae
Perennials, Flowers

DELPHINIUM

Most people associate delphiniums with blue flowers, but colors also include white and shades of red, pink, lavender, and purple. Leaves are lobed or fanlike, variously cut and divided. Taller hybrids offer rich colors in elegant spires. All kinds are effective in borders and make good cut flowers; lower-growing kinds serve well as container plants.

Blossoms attract birds.

Delphinium cardinale

Native to California coastalmountains. Grows to 3–6 ft. talland 2 ft. wide, with erect stemsgrowing from deep, thick, woodyroots. Leaves have deep, narrowlobes. Flowers are 1 in. across,with scarlet calyx and spur andscarlet-tipped yellow petals. Sow seeds early for first-yearbloom.