Home gardeners sometimes get the rather erroneous idea that annual larkspur’ cannot be depended upon to do well anywhere except in the equable climate of sunny California.
True, in most parts of the United States, the spikes of this dainty-hued, attractive flower seldom reach the height or the size of those grown on the West Coast.
But knowledge of how to cope with uncertain weather conditions to give the seedlings a good start may prove to be half the battle of getting larkspur to perform most satisfactorily in the eastern part of the country.
Being unusually hardy, larkspur has the reputation of being one annual that should grow without fail from seed sown in the fall.
Nevertheless, the fact is that in northern localities where there is not much snow and where alternate freezing and thawing are the rules, fall-sown larkspur often makes a disappointingly poor stand the following spring.
In sections where snow can be relied upon to cover the ground from fall until spring, however, fall sowing is seldom a gamble.
Soil Preparation and Planting Techniques
In northern locations, which are well sheltered by shrubs and trees, some gardeners achieve excellent results by sowing in the fall and by simply covering the seed with soil and then letting nature do what mulching she will for the larkspur’s protection.
With this method, it is important to sow as late as the latter part of October or in November so that there is no danger of the seed germinating before severe cold weather comes on.
In more exposed northern gardens, fall sown seed usually results in good spring germination if an artificial mulch is applied.
A light covering of straw or other porous material that will not mat held down with a few evergreen branches is all that is needed. Layers of leaves are usually not so good, as they are likely to pack down and hold too much water.
That larkspur seed should be sown directly out-of-doors is fairly common knowledge. The seedlings do not take kindly to transplanting, so the seed should be sown where the plants are to flower.
Fall Sowing
The soil should be just as finely prepared for fall sowing as for any seed sowing in spring. The seed may be scattered in the border or garden, or it may be sown in rows.
Only a slight covering of soil is needed. Where snow remains on the ground for months and other winter conditions are favorable, it matters not if the seed germinates in the fall.
Many gardeners located in regions where winters are cold but where the ground is more or less bare and there is always the danger of variable weather prefer to start larkspur seed in the very early spring.
Even before the frost is out of the ground, if a few inches of the surface soil can be loosened and well prepared, it is safe to go ahead.
In southern Michigan, larkspur seed is generally sown in March with good results. If frost occurs after the seedlings are up, as it undoubtedly will, no harm is done to this hardy grower.
Ideal Growing Conditions
If the soil in your garden is on the rich, heavy side, the growth of the plants is likely to be lush, and the flowers will probably appear comparatively late.
If the soil is lighter, considerably sandy, and not so rich in plant food, the stalks will be shorter and more meager in growth, but the flowers will appear earlier.
A neutral soil, ground that is neither decidedly acid nor alkaline, is best for larkspur.
Whether fall or spring sowed, larkspur seed should be sown fairly close. Thinning can then be done according to the type of plants wanted.
If you prefer branching plants with long lateral spikes, the young plants should be thinned out to stand from 4” to 10” inches apart.
If plants with long central flower spikes and almost no prominent laterals are desired, thinning to 1” to 3” inches apart is enough.
Some think the closer planting with large central or terminal flowers results in a neater, prettier effect on the flower border.
Pest and Disease Management
Both the plants and flowers of larkspur are remarkably free from insect pests. Few diseases are troublesome, either.
There is one blight, however, that is prevalent in some sections. This attacks the plants at the ground level, causing the stalks to blacken and finally die.
If action is taken as soon as signs of blight are noticed, the plant can usually be saved. Bichloride of mercury is, at present, the best controlling measure.
This comes in tablet form and can be secured from dealers. The tablets should be dissolved in water according to the directions on the package, and the solution should be applied around the base of the plant.
Improved Larkspur Varieties
In recent years, larkspur varieties have been wonderfully improved. Plant breeders of some of the large seed companies have done outstanding work in making them more adaptable, increasing the size of the spike and the individual flowers, and widening the range of charming colors.
The types now considered far ahead of others, not only in California where they were bred but in the rest of the country, are the erect or spire type known as Giant Imperial and the Super Majestic.
From the original blue of the old-fashioned larkspur, it has developed a wealth of shades and tints from delicate “sky” blue through lilac to deep purple. The original pink also embraces a wide range from bright deep rose to clear light salmon.
Blue Spire is a popular Giant Imperial variety in an exquisite shade of blue. A 1945 introduction that has met with great fervor is a Giant Imperial variety called Brilliant Rose.
The color is a warm, deep salmon rose. The plants are usually a little taller than most of the other “spires,” which, under good conditions, can be expected to reach nearly 3’ feet in the eastern states.
The Super Majestic strain is the real queen of all larkspurs in height and size of bloom. This type in California grows 6’ feet tall with spikes 16” to 18” inches long.
Despite not reaching those giant dimensions in other parts of the country, Super Majestic is extremely adaptable and satisfactory.
With its abundant blooms, Super Majestic White is particularly notable for vigorous growth.
44659 by Hazel Hankinson