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Annuals/Larkspur

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Expert: - 2/8/2007


Question
What is the difference between Larkspur and Delphinium? Is one more difficult or are they the same thing? And do you have any growing tips for them? I am an internmediate gardener. And I live in zone 7 1/2. (borderline 7-8)

Answer
I cannot say it better than Wikipedia.

What is Larkspur?

"The common name of two closely related plant genera Consolida and Delphinium in the family Ranunculaceae."

When gardeners I know talk about Larkspur, they are talking about "annual Delphiniums", purchasing Consolida seeds from Shepherd's Garden Seeds catalog.  Soil for these is slightly alkaline.  Their intense delphinium-blue flowers suggest they MUST be related to the Delphinium - but that is a different Genus.

Delphinium Hybrids are still The King of the Garden Border.  Breeders are producing ever bluer, bigger flowers.  New Zealand Hybrids have replaced the old but still-stunning Pacific Hybrids as THE Gold Standard for Dazzle.  Can you tell I love these?

Trouble is, they don't bloom for more than 2 weeks.  And they do need serious staking.  The kind that you have to check daily to make sure it did not move down the stalk - or your flowers will be history.  And believe me, there is nothing sadder than a Delphinium lost due to too much wind.

You can order Seeds for both from Renee's (https://www.reneesgarden.com/about/reneebio.htm).  Graceful Gardens (www.gracefulgardens.com) sells the NZ Delphinium plants.  They are so worth the trouble.

Good luck.

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Long Island Gardener

Expertise

Decisions, decisions... If you can't make up your mind which Annuals to grow, you're not alone. Problem with your new flowering Annuals flats? I`ve been there, done that. Petunias, Sweet Alyssum, Larkspur, Marine Blue Lobelia -- they all grow here at my house on Garden Street on Long Island, N.Y.. Cutting and Cottage Gardens, Sun and Shade Gardens, White Gardens and Night Gardens, I`ve done them all. Annuals are the perfect summer flower, bursting with color June through fall's first frost. I can`t speak on Cactus or tender Tropical Plants -- they don`t grow outside in my Zone 7. I`m no Farmer, so I cannot guide you on Fruits and Vegetables. But whether it`s an Annual you want to start from seed, mail-order or pick up at your local garden center, I can help you grow amazing blooms this Summer. Yes, together, we can turn your neighbors green with envy.

Experience

I have a lifetime of gardening behind me here on the North Shore of Long Island. While I have degrees in related fields, there's nothing like hands-on work to build real knowledge. I stay on top of current science -- there's a boom in research, and Kingdom Plantae is filled with surprises. By the way, I really do live on Garden Street.

Publications
Gannett newspapers, The New York Times, and hundreds of others - but not on Annuals.

Education/Credentials
B.A., botany; graduate credits in European Intellectual History and Political Science; minor coursework in related fields, docent training at our local botanical gardens (required for volunteers). I'm currently working on an advanced biochemistry degree.

Awards and Honors
I could tell you, but then you'd know who I am.

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