Annual Larkspur
Giant Imperial Larkspur is a towering heirloom flower that commands attention in any garden, reaching 36, 48 inches with airy spires of blooms that dance above finely textured foliage. This variety of Consolida ajacis germinates in darkness and takes 98 days from seed to flower, rewarding patient gardeners with blossoms that stretch from spring through summer. Beloved for centuries, it thrives in full sun with moderate water and resists deer pressure, making it equally at home in cottage gardens and pollinator havens. Direct sowing in early spring, 3, 4 weeks before your last frost, is the recommended path, though autumn planting works in zones 7, 10.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
48in H x 18in W
Perennial
High
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What sets Giant Imperial Larkspur apart is its stately height and the sheer abundance of bloom it produces over a long season. The spires rise dramatically above the garden, creating vertical interest that few annuals can match. Its deer resistance and strong appeal to pollinators make it a plant that not only looks magnificent but genuinely contributes to garden ecology. The fact that it's an heirloom variety means you're growing something gardeners have treasured and saved for generations.
Giant Imperial Larkspur is grown primarily as a cut flower and ornamental for garden display. The tall spikes are prized for fresh arrangements, lasting well in the vase and providing dramatic vertical architecture to bouquets. In the garden, it's valued for its ability to fill middle and back borders with height and color throughout the warmer months.
Direct sow in early spring 3–4 weeks before your last frost date, or in early autumn (zones 7–10) for spring blooms. Sow shallowly and keep the seedbed consistently moist until germination.
Cut stems for arrangements once flowers begin opening along the spike, ideally in the early morning when stems are most turgid. Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming throughout the season.
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