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Cut flowers1 variety
Larkspur
Consolida ajacisCool-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

Days to maturity
75–95 daysDays to germ.
14–25 daysSpacing
4–6 inHeight
36 inSun
SunVase life
5–7 daysHow 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
Larkspur sprouts spotted today. I think the row being raked triggered it somehow.