Delphinium (Pacific Hybrids) 'BLACK KNIGHT'

Larkspur is a favourite perennial where varieties with blue flowers are most popular. Though, in modern gardens and better garden centres you can find new varieties with pink shades or even purple-red shades as well as white. The name delphinium was used to describe the shape of the flower bud which looks like a dolphin (rather a fat one).

Black Knight larkspur is a majestic variety of this attractive perennial. It belongs to Pacific Hybrids group and from early July produces up to 2m tall stems with spikes of deep indigo blue flowers with a black bee in the centre. The older and stronger the plant gets, the more flowers are borne along the stems, and the taller the stems grow. Deciduous, basal leaves are palmate, very glossy early in the season, deeply lobed, mid green, up to 20 cm across.

Once the flowering has finished you can cut back the entire plant to encourage the second flush in late August and September, possibly October. It is incredible to see rich colours of late flowering perennials in autumn gardens when most other plants are slowly fading away.

Grow larkspur in any well-drained, humus-rich, garden soil in full sun. It will benefit from mulching as it likes constant moisture. The plant contains toxin which may cause severe discomfort if ingested, or, to some, it may irritate skin. The plant is short-lived unless once in every 3-4 years you dig out the clumps in the spring, divide them, and plant back only the young and healthy ones. Use a high phosphorus fertilizer every year for profuse flowering. Fully hardy to min. -34°C (USDA zone 4), possibly more.

Last update 11-01-2013