Dwarf Larkspur
Delphinium tricorne
Deep blue-violet spikes in April and May, then it retreats for summer. An early feast for long-tongued bumblebees in the shade garden.
Typically 1 pint–1 gal · $9–$30 · final price at pickup
- Thu, Aug 138 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Aug 148 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Aug 158 AM – 2 PM
The native larkspur. deep blue spring flowers that hummingbirds and bumblebees seek out before almost anything else is open.
Dwarf Larkspur is a spring ephemeral that blooms in April and May with deep blue-violet to occasionally white or pink flowers on short, loose spikes. It emerges early, flowers brilliantly, then disappears by early summer, which makes it a perfect layering plant for shade and woodland gardens where the summer canopy closes in. Pair it with later-emerging plants like ferns or hostas that will fill the space it leaves behind. The deep-throated flowers are structured specifically for long-tongued bumblebees, and the plant is an important early-season resource before many other native flowers are open. The blooms can be cut for small arrangements. They're lovely in a spring vase. Note that all parts of this plant are toxic if ingested; plant with care in gardens used by young children or pets.
A nursery-grown plant, ready for the ground.
Healthy, container-grown dwarf larkspur propagated on-site at Hill House from regional genetics. Includes a one-page care card. We make every effort to supply plants as listed; occasionally we substitute a similar species of equal value.
- Sun
- Part sun
- Water
- Average
- Mature size
- 8"–1.7' · 6–12 in wide
- Bloom time
- Early spring
- Bloom color
- Purple, Blue
- USDA zones
- 4–8
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native range
- Eastern and central United States, from Pennsylvania to Nebraska south to Georgia and Arkansas
Care notes for dwarf larkspur.
Plant in part shade to full shade in moist, rich, well-drained soil. Tolerates heavy clay better than most spring ephemerals. Allow foliage to die back naturally after bloom. do not cut prematurely. Self-sows reliably in suitable conditions. Toxic if ingested; handle with care.
Pairs well with these.
Same light, same soil, same wildlife. Janet's picks to plant alongside dwarf larkspur.
Or skip the guesswork.
Curated packages bundle complementary species for an instant habitat. One reservation, one pickup day, a printed layout map.
Short on Space Package
For gardeners who have an abundance of passion but are short on space, this package features tidy, upright, clump-forming natives that behave and function well in small spaces.
Shade Bed Package
Ferns, sedges, and woodland natives that thrive under existing trees.
Birder’s Paradise Package
For the avid bird watchers and budding ornithologists in our community, the Birder’s Paradise Package consists of species that Hill House Nursery staff and longtime native plant advocates such as Doug Tallamy consider ‘premier bird garden plants’.