QIS Larkspur Formula Mix is an open-pollinated cultivar of Consolida ajacis bred for serious cut-flower production. These bushy plants reach 36 to 48 inches tall and deliver abundant, spiky flower spires in 80 to 90 days from direct seeding. Direct seed in early spring for summer blooms, or in fall for flowering the following year. The flowers hold beautifully both fresh and dried, making this mix a workhorse for bouquets, arrangements, and preserved floral projects.
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Moderate
2-11
48in H x ?in W
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High
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The QIS Formula Mix excels where many ornamentals struggle: cool-season gardens where summer heat would stop other flowers dead. Seeds require cool soil (below 55°F) and darkness to germinate, so fall sowing in many regions means you'll harvest premium cut stems when most gardens are slowing down. Fresh blooms open progressively along the stem for weeks of picking potential, while dried stems retain their color and form long after the growing season ends.
This larkspur mix lives for the vase. Florists and home gardeners grow it specifically for fresh-cut arrangements, where the tall, columnar flower spikes add dramatic vertical interest and texture. It's equally valuable dried; the flowers open and stabilize on the stem before petals drop, creating long-lasting dried arrangements that hold color through winter and beyond.
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Sow into 72-cell plug flats or preferred seedling containers 5 to 7 weeks before your intended planting date. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in darkness and maintain soil temperatures around 55°F (13°C) until seedlings are ready to transplant outdoors. This cool-growing approach produces compact, sturdy transplants.
Plant transplants after the last spring frost when soil has warmed slightly. Harden off seedlings gradually over 7 to 10 days before moving them to their final location. Space plants 4 inches apart in full sun. If direct seeding in fall, sow 6 to 8 weeks before the first expected hard frost to allow root establishment before winter.
Direct seed in early spring as soon as soil is workable, sowing 1/4 inch deep in darkness (cover with soil or mulch). Alternatively, sow in fall 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost for bloom the following year. Seeds do not germinate well when soil temperatures exceed 55°F (13°C), so timing and temperature control matter significantly.
For fresh bouquets, cut stems when 2 to 3 basal flowers have opened on roughly the lower third of the stem; this stage extends vase life significantly. For drying, harvest when flowers along the stem are open but petals have not yet begun to drop. Cut in the morning after dew dries, remove lower foliage, and hang stems upside down in a warm, airy space away from direct sunlight until completely dry.
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