Tall Larkspur
Delphinium exaltatum
- Native to:
- United States
iNaturalist: © mickysax (iNaturalist #88435890)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus:
- Delphinium
- Species:
- Delphinium exaltatum
- USDA Symbol:
- DEEX
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Geophyte
- Height:
- 180 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, purple, violet
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble (Bombus pensylvanicus), Black and (Bombus auricomus), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, hummingbirds, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers open woodlands and meadows
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover deeply.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed into cold stratification.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 10C.