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Delphinium elatum - L.

Common Name Candle larkspur, English Larkspur
Family Ranunculaceae
USDA hardiness 4-7
Known Hazards All parts of the plant are toxic[65, 172]. The plant is most toxic when it is young[200].
Habitats Temperate areas from 3000 - 3600 metres[240]. Grassy slopes at elevations of 1900 - 2100 metres in Tibet[266]..
Range E. Asia - Western Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Delphinium elatum Candle larkspur, English Larkspur


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Val%C3%A9rie75
Delphinium elatum Candle larkspur, English Larkspur
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Val%C3%A9rie75

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Blue, Pink, Purple, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Delphinium elatum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic  Aperient  Diuretic  Emetic

The whole plant, but especially the seeds, is anthelmintic, aperient, diuretic and emetic[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

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Other Uses

The seed contains 1.7% alkaloids and is used as an insecticide[240].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Foundation, Massing, Seashore, Specimen. Prefers a rich well-drained soil that stays moist in the summer[111, 187]. Dislikes water-logged soils[200], it is liable to die out in heavy soils over winter[111]. Requires an open sunny position[188]. This species is the main parent of the many tall hybrid forms of delphiniums that are commonly grown as garden ornamentals[200]. A variable species in the wild, varying in height from 40cm to 2 metres[200]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54]. Special Features: Attracts birds, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow March/April in a cold frame or May outdoors[111]. Keep moist and in a shady position until germination takes place[175]. The seed has a limited viability so it should be stored in a sealed container at about 3°c[200]. Temperatures above 15°c inhibit germination[175]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 9 weeks at 15°c[175]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Cuttings of basal shoots in April/May, taken before they become hollow at the base, and planted in a cold frame[111]. Division in spring[111] or early autumn[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia (south)), Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia (south)), Kazakhstan (southeast), Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia (north), China (Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu) EUROPE: Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland (south), Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Italy (northwest), Romania, Serbia, France (southeast)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Delphinium brachycentrumNorthern larkspurPerennial1.0 4-8  LMHNM001
Delphinium brunonianum Perennial0.5 4-8  LMHNM002
Delphinium caeruleum Perennial0.3 6-9  LMHNM011
Delphinium cashmerianum Perennial0.5 4-8  LMHNM012
Delphinium denudatum Perennial1.0 6-9  LMHNDM011
Delphinium glaucumGiant Larkspur, Sierra larkspurPerennial1.8 0-0  LMHNM001
Delphinium menziesiiMenzies' LarkspurPerennial0.5 3-7  LMHNM011
Delphinium nudicauleRed Larkspur, LarkspurPerennial0.3 3-7 MLMHNM013
Delphinium nuttallianumLarkspur, Twolobe larkspurPerennial0.3 4-8  LMHNM002
Delphinium semibarbatumZalilPerennial0.5 5-9  LMHNM01 
Delphinium staphisagriaStavesacreBiennial/Perennial1.0 7-10  LMHNM022

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

David Goodgame   Tue Dec 20 2005

English Delphiniums, Alaskan Style More info on delphiniums

David Goodgame   Sun Jan 22 2006

English Delphiniums, Alaskan Style Growing English delphiniums fromseeds, thinning, fertilizing, and staking.

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