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Prairie Larkspur Delphinium carolinianum

Phonetic Spelling
del-FIN-ee-um kair-oh-lin-ee-AY-num
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

The Greek work 'delphinium' translates to dolphin.  The dolphin-like shape of this plants buds has earned its Latin name.  

Carolina larkspur is a south-eastern native perennial wildflower in the Ranunculaceae family. It can be found growing on rocky, limestone glades.  Its preferred location will include dry alkaline soil in full sun.  Not being heat tolerant, it may disappear as the temperatures climb and reappear as the temperatures cool.  

The blue flowers make this plant a favorite of bumblebees.  As a species, bumblebees are more adapted to visually see blue, ultraviolet and yellow wavelengths.  The coloring of the Blue Larkspur is a bumblebee magnet.  

The flowers appear on a raceme with up to 30 to 40 flowers.  They bloom over a 3 to 4-week period in late spring to early summer.  The plant will then become dormant.  Do to the long raceme, this plant may need to be staked.

Considered a short-lived perennial, it does however, reseed itself.   

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Crown rot, botrytis blight, leaf spot and powdery mildew are diseases to watch out for.  Aphids, mites, stem borers, leaf miners, snails and slugs are insects that can damage your plant.  

This plant does not transplant well.  

All parts of the plant can be toxic to humans and animals.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#nectar plant#rabbit resistant#herbaceous#long-lasting flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#naturalizes#self-seeding#cutting garden#naturalized area#short lifespan#nectar plant late spring#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midspring#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#salt intolerant#short-lived perennials#poisonous if ingested#wildflower#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#nectar plant#rabbit resistant#herbaceous#long-lasting flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#naturalizes#self-seeding#cutting garden#naturalized area#short lifespan#nectar plant late spring#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midspring#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#salt intolerant#short-lived perennials#poisonous if ingested#wildflower#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Delphinium
    Species:
    carolinianum
    Family:
    Ranunculaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and southeastern U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    AL, AR, CO, FL, GA, IA, IL, KS, KY, LA, MN, MO, MS, ND, NE, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, WI
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Bumblebees are attracted to the flowers nectar.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    Toxic if ingested.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Fruit Type:
    Follicle
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    After flowering, 3 seedpods or follicles that will replace the flower. They are joined together at the base. They will split open to release its seed. First green, they will turn slight brown as they ripen.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Irregular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Blue-violet flowers appear in on 6" to 1' long spikes with clusters of flowers in mid-spring to early summer. The flowers have 4 petals. The sepals may have a green patch near its tip.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Each plant contains both basal leaves and leaves along the upright stem. The stem leaves are similar in appearance to the basal leaves except that they get smaller as they ascend the stem. The leaves are divided and lobed. The 4" basal leaves can form a rosette in the winter months prior to the flowers appearing.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    White
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The greenish/white, erect, unbranched stems have a fine downy feel. The central stem ends with a raceme of flowers.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Dry Soil
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    Severe digestive issues if eaten. Touching the plant can cause a severe skin irritation.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Alkaloids
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves
    Roots
    Seeds
    Stems