Delphinium exaltatum portrait
A short plant portrait for Delphinium exaltatum today. Besides getting familiar with this Eastern North American larkspur, I want to emphasize the fact that for species starting to flower late in July or August, like all fall Gentian for example, seeds MAY become available only in very late fall October or even November.
The early fall Seeds List is taking shape and it may ready at the end of next week, fingers crossed; if not, by 1st of September. It will be announced.
Delphinium exaltatum, Tall larkspur
Delphinium exaltatum, shown here cultivated in the garden, is a native species with a rather limited distribution in a few Eastern US states. My plant was grown from seeds that were offered a few years ago in the shop, so other people should also have it in their gardens.
It goes by the common name of Tall larkspur and the epithet ‘exaltatum’ also alludes to its height.
The leaves are palmate-lobed with narrow lobes, and the flowering stems can reach 1.6+ m, also depending on the growing conditions.
The lavender-blue flowers open gradually on loose, branched inflorescences in late summer, reason why it has a very long blooming period. They become the center of attention for various pollinators; particularly butterflies and the hummingbirds are in love with it.
It is said to dislike hot and humid conditions. For this reason in regions with hot summers (like SW Ontario) it does better in a part-shaded location with extra moisture. Otherwise a full sun location can be used. It may need staking, although I prefer to let mine to sway in the breeze.
Among other noticeable plants flowering in late summer, besides all the Echinacea, Rudbeckia and Eupatoriums, are various Gentians: Gentiana septemfida towards the end of flowering, Gentiana paradoxa just starting, Iris dichotoma, Platycodon, Lomelosia olgae, Ziziphora clinopodioides…
