Consolida ajacis Seeds | Larkspur
LATIN NAME: Consolida ajacis
COMMON NAME: Larkspur
Plant Profile
Larkspur (Consolida ajacis) grows as an annual, native to southern Europe. Finely divided, feathery foliage forms a strong, upright plant, and dense, tall spikes of spurred flowers rise above it, each flower with its long, slender spur at the back. It is a mainstay of cottage garden and cutting border, and a row of it in flower is a fine, spiky show. It is a generous, easy plant of cool, sunny, well-drained ground. The blooms are worked steadily by bees for as long as they are open. Plants that offer this much while asking this little are rare enough to treasure.
Science & Biotechnology
Botanists studying the Consolida group regularly include Consolida ajacis in comparative work, and the species also appears in horticultural trials aimed at gardeners and growers. Larkspur has a steady place in plant science, and genus has been studied for a long time for striking, spurred flowers and chemistry of the plants. Breeders and collectors still work with it, so well-kept seed remains available.
Uses & Benefits
Larkspur works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Larkspur is grown for tall, stately spikes of spurred flowers, and it is a mainstay of cottage garden, border and cutting bed. Blue, purple, pink and white flowers pull in bees and butterflies, and tall spikes are a fine, long-lasting cut flower. It is a generous, easy annual that asks for cool, sunny, well-drained ground, and it sows itself around freely to return year after year. Mature plants need little attention in a well-chosen position.
Larkspurs are beloved cottage-garden annuals; like their delphinium cousins they contain toxic alkaloids, so they are for cutting gardens, not kitchens.
Growing from Seed
Starting Larkspur from seed is simple and satisfying. Surface-sow onto a light, well-drained compost, dust over a thin covering, and keep evenly moist and sunny until the seedlings show. Move strong seedlings into individual pots, keep them in good light, and set them out when the weather and their size agree.
Our Take
Larkspur has real presence in the garden without demanding much in return. Even moisture while the seed is chitting is the main thing; afterwards it largely looks after itself.
Related Reading
More species in the same orbit as Larkspur: