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Cut flowers1 variety

Larkspur

Consolida ajacis

Cool-season annual with tall flower spikes used fresh or dried. It's recommended to seed as soon as the ground thaws in the spring, as plants flower best if exposed to 6 weeks of temperatures ranging from 32-55°F.

Hardy AnnualFull SunStaking Recommended
Larkspur in the field

Days to maturity

75–95 days

Days to germ.

14–25 days

Spacing

4–6 in

Height

36 in

Sun

Sun

Vase life

5–7 days

How we grow it

Germination

Days to germ.
14–25 d
Soil temp
50–55 °F
Depth
0.25 in
Light for germ
dark
Pre-treatment
Stratification for 7-14 days improves germination.

Culture

Days to maturity
75–95 d
Spacing
4–6 in
Height
36 in
Sun
Sun
Frost
hardy
Sow indoors
No
Outdoor / direct
Yes

Harvest

Cut stage
Fresh - 2-3 basal flowers open on up to 1/3 of stem. Dried - flowers on stem are open but before petals drop. Larkspur retains color well when dried.
Vase life
5–7 d
Handling
Ethylene will cause blossoms to drop.
Notes
Afternoon shade or 30-50% shade cloth during warm summer months may be beneficial.

Recent field notes

Observation

Larkspur sprouts spotted today. I think the row being raked triggered it somehow.

Varieties

1 variety on record