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Delphinium grandiflorum 'Blue Butterfly'

Phonetic Spelling
del-FIN-ee-um gran-dih-FLOR-um
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Blue Butterfly 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 delphiniums, 'Blue Butterfly' has ultramarine blue flowers that form on loose racemes.  Although somewhat heat intolerant, '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.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#heat tolerant#biennial#blue flowers#low maintenance#rabbit resistant#edging#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#self-seeding#cutting garden#compact habit#nectar plant late spring#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midspring#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#humidity intolerant#wind damage prone#compact#container plant#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#heat tolerant#biennial#blue flowers#low maintenance#rabbit resistant#edging#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#self-seeding#cutting garden#compact habit#nectar plant late spring#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midspring#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#humidity intolerant#wind damage prone#compact#container plant#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Delphinium
    Species:
    grandiflorum
    Family:
    Ranunculaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Biennial
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Russia and China
    Wildlife Value:
    The flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, as well as hummingbirds and bees.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Buffer
    Colorful
    Defines Paths
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Heat, more tolerant than other delphiniums.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    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 To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits are not ornamentally significant.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Irregular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    asymmetrical petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Racemes of complex asymmetrical ultramarine, trumpet shaped blue flowers with five sepals. One of the sepals forms a spur, hence the common name larkspur.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Palmatifid
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The small leaves that resemble ferns are quite delicate.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    Digestive issues.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Alkaloids
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves