(Delphinium ajacis ‘Rocket Mix’)
Rocket Larkspur is a cool weather annual flower that is native to Eurasia but can be commonly found growing in open disturbed areas and along roadways, railroads, and drainage ditches throughout most of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 36-48” and features finely cut, delicate foliage and tall spikes of semi-double blossoms in varied shades of pink, white, purple and blue. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, resistant to deer, can be used as a trap crop for Japanese beetles, and is great as a cut flower!
Genus: Delphinium
Species: ajacis
Variety: Rocket Larkspur Mix
Also known as: Larkspur, Lark's Heel, and Doubtful Knight's Spur.
Native to: Afghanistan, Albania, Bulgaria, Corse, East Aegean Is., France, Greece, Iran, Italy, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, North Caucasus, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Turkey, Turkey-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, West Himalaya, Yugoslavia.
Introduced into: Alabama, Algeria, Arizona, Arkansas, Assam, Azores, Bangladesh, Belgium, British Columbia, California, Canary Is., Connecticut, Czechoslovakia, Delaware, District of Columbia, East Himalaya, El Salvador, Florida, Georgia, Guatemala, Illinois, India, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Korea, Libya, Louisiana, Madeira, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mexico Southwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Morocco, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New South Wales, New York, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Rhode I., Romania, South Australia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Uzbekistan, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Western Australia, Wisconsin.
Grown as: Annual
Maturity (Bloom): Summer
Crops: Spring, Summer
Outdoor Growing Temp: 60°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 60°F. Larkspur needs 60ºF soil.
Start Outdoors: Yes
Small Gardens?: Yes
Light: Half Sun/Half Shade
Water: Water the plants regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist.
Attracts beneficial insects?: Yes. Attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
Containers?: Yes. Good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers.
Height: 36-48"
Spacing: 12-15"
Sow Depth: On soil surface.
Produces: Finely cut, delicate foliage and tall spikes of semi-double blossoms in varied shades of pink, white, purple and blue.
USDA Grow Zone: 3a-9b
If using stakes or plant rings for support, planting medium height perennials as delphinium companion plants can help hide the unsightly stakes and supports. Any of the following will work well for this: Echinacea, Phlox, Foxglove, Rudbeckia, and Lilies.
When companion planting with delphinium, you have many options, and what to plant next to delphiniums is completely up to you. Using certain plants like chamomile, chervil or legumes may have some nutrient benefits as companions for delphinium, but no plants seem to cause it harm or irregular growth when planted next to nearby. Delphiniums are deer resistant, and though Japanese beetles are attracted to the plants, they reportedly die from eating toxins from within them. Delphinium plant companions may benefit from this pest resistance.
Delphiniums early summer soft pink, white, and purple blooms make them beautiful companion plants for numerous perennials. Plant them in cottage style flower beds with any of the previously mentioned plants above in addition to: Peony, Chrysanthemum, Aster, Iris, Daylily, Allium, Roses, and Blazing star.
Suggested Varieties
(Helianthus annuus ‘Autumn Beauty’)
Autumn Beauty Sunflower is a native annual flower that can be commonly found growing in dry areas of meadows, plains, and prairies throughout every region of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 5-6' and features hairy stems, hairy heart-shaped green leaves, and 4-6” flowers that bloom in autumn colors such as yellow, orange, red, bronze, or mahogany. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, is resistant to rabbits, is a great trap crop for aphids, is both edible and medicinal, tolerates drought, makes dye, and is great as a cut flower!
(Helianthus annuus ‘Mammoth’)
Mammoth Sunflower is a native annual plant that can be commonly found growing in dry areas of meadows, plains, and prairies throughout every region of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 8-12' and features hairy stems, hairy heart-shaped dark green leaves, and 12-24” yellow flower heads. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, is resistant to rabbits, is a great trap crop for aphids, is both edible and medicinal, tolerates drought, and makes dye!
(Tithonia rotundifolia ‘Mexican’)
Mexican Sunflower is an annual flower that is native to Mexico but can be commonly found growing throughout Louisiana and Florida. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 4-6' and features 3-12” lobed dark green leaves, and 3” orange-red flowers that have orange-yellow disks. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought, and is great as a cut flower!
(Helianthus annuus ‘Velvet Queen’)
Velvet Queen Sunflower is a native annual plant that can be commonly found growing in dry areas of meadows, plains, and prairies throughout every region of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 3-4' and features hairy stems, hairy heart-shaped dark green leaves, and 4-6” flower in shades of bronze, red, and mahogany with dark centers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, is resistant to rabbits, is a great trap crop for aphids, is both edible and medicinal, tolerates drought, and makes dye!
(Eutrochium maculatum ‘Joe Pye Weed’)
(Eutrochium purpureum ‘Sweet Joe Pye Weed’)
(Echinacea purpurea ‘Purple’)
Purple Coneflower is a native perennial flower that is commonly found growing in moist meadows, woods, and prairies throughout the central and eastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-4' and features stiff stems, narrow hairy leaves, and 3-4” flower heads with drooping purplish pink petals and a spiny orange center cone. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, provides bird forage, tolerates drought and frost, has medicinal uses, is resistant to deer, and is great as a cut flower!
(Digitalis purpurea ‘Foxglove’)
Foxglove is a biennial/short lived perennial flower that is native to eastern Europe but can be commonly found growing in open woods, woodland clearings, moorland and heath margins, sea-cliffs, rocky mountain slopes and hedge banks throughout the northeastern and northwestern United States. At maturity, this plant features thick, textured leaves at the base and tall spikes of tubular, dangling 2-3” blossoms of rose pink or purple with tiny contrasting spots. This plant attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, is resistant to deer and rabbits, and is great as a cut flower!
(Rudbeckia hirta 'Black-Eyed Susan')
(Anthriscus cerefolium ‘Winter')
Winter Chervil is a hardy biennial herb that is native to southern Europe and the Middle East but can be found growing throughout the northeastern and northwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features green fern-like leaves and umbrella shaped clusters of small white flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and butterflies, repels aphids and slugs, tolerates light frost, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Matricaria chamomilla ‘Common German')
Common German Chamomile is an annual herb that is native to Europe and Western Asia but can be commonly found growing in cornfields, pastures, and along road ways and railroads throughout the Midwest, northeastern, southwest, and west coast of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-30” and features smooth, branching stems, aromatic 3” feathery foliage, and flower heads that have 10-20 white petals with yellow disk centers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, hoverflies, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, is used to make dye, shampoo, a plant tonic, and perfume, tolerates frost, is both edible and medicinal, and self sows!
(Chamaemelum nobile ‘Roman')
Roman Chamomile is a mat spreading evergreen perennial herb that is native to western Europe and Northern Africa but can be commonly found growing in pastures and along road ways mainly in the Midwest, but also in parts of the southern, northeastern, and western United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 6-9” and features 6” decumbent stems, finely cut, feathery green leaves and small, apple scented, daisy-like white flowers with yellow centers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, hoverflies, and predatory wasps, is rabbit safe, is used to make dye, shampoo, a plant tonic, and perfume, tolerates frost, is both edible and medicinal, and self sows!
(Phaseolus vulgaris 'Kentucky Wonder')
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Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean is a heirloom, tender warm weather annual vegetable that is native to California where it was introduced in 1940 by Ferry-Morse Seed Co. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 72-96” and features long vines, green spade-shaped leaves, 7-10” green snap bean pods, and tiny flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and butterflies, is disease resistant, creates bio mass, tolerates drought, makes dye and fabric, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Phaseolus vulgaris 'Lazy Housewife')
(Phaseolus vulgaris 'Royalty Purple Pod')
Royalty Purple Pod Bean is a heirloom, tender warm weather annual vegetable that is native to New Hampshire where it was developed by the University of New Hampshire, and introduced by Billy Helper Seed Company in 1957. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features erect stems, green spade-shaped leaves, 5-6” bright-purple bean pods, and tiny flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and butterflies, creates bio mass, tolerates drought, makes dye and fabric, and is both edible and medicinal!
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Antique’)
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Black’)
Black Peony Poppy is an annual flower that is native to the Mediterranean region but can be found growing throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose like dark maroon flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, self sows, and is great as a cut flower.
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Cream’)
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Double Mix’)
Peony Poppy Double Mix is an annual flower that is native to the Mediterranean region but can be found growing throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose like flowers that range in color. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, self sows, and is great as a cut flower.
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Pale Rose’)
Pale Rose Peony Poppy is an annual flower that is native to the Mediterranean region but can be found growing throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose like light pink flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, self sows, and is great as a cut flower.
(P. Somniferum Paeoniflorum ‘Purple’)
Purple Peony Poppy is an annual flower that is native to the Mediterranean region but can be found growing throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose like purple grape colored flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, self sows, and is great as a cut flower.
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Red’)
Red Peony Poppy is an annual flower that is native to the Mediterranean region but can be found growing throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose like red flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, self sows, and is great as a cut flower.
(P. somniferum var. paeoniflorum ‘Salmon’)
Salmon Peony Poppy is an annual flower that is native to the Mediterranean region but can be found growing throughout the northeastern and southwestern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-3' and features blue-green foliage and large 4” rose like salmon pink flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, self sows, and is great as a cut flower.
(Callistephus chinensis ‘Powder Puff Mix’)
Powder Puff China Aster is a cool weather fall blooming annual flower that is native to China. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2' and features serrated, 2-3” pointed leaves and fragrant 4-6” full, double blossoms in varying shades of pink, white, red, and purple-blue with pale yellow centers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, lacewings, hoverflies, and praying mantis, is deer resistant, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!
(Callistephus chinensis ‘Tall Pompon Blue Moon’)
Tall Pompon Blue Moon Aster is a cool weather annual that is native to China which can be found growing on the edges of deciduous forests in the northeastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 20” and features 2-3” wide dark blue disk-shaped flowers that are white in the center. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, lacewings, hoverflies, and praying mantis, is deer resistant, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!
(Allium fistulosum 'Evergreen White Bunching')
Evergreen White Bunching Onion is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to Asia, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-20” and features 12–14" bright green, hollow stalks and greenish-white flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought and light frost, makes dye, repels moles, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Allium cepa 'Ruby Red')
Ruby Red Onion is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to New York, where it was developed by John Brozdowski and introduced by Asgrow Seed Company in 1964. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 3” medium-large, globe-shaped, burgundy onions. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought and light frost, makes dye, repels moles, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Allium cepa 'Sweet Spanish White')
Sweet Spanish White Onion is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to the Mediterranean, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 3” large, globe-shaped, white skinned onions. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought and light frost, makes dye, repels moles, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Allium cepa 'Sweet Spanish Yellow')
Sweet Spanish Yellow Onion is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather biennial vegetable that is native to the Mediterranean, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features 3” large, globe-shaped, yellow skinned onions. This plant can be grown in a container, tolerates drought and light frost, makes dye, repels moles, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Allium tuberosum ‘Garlic')
Garlic Chive is a clump-forming annual herb that is native to Asia but can be found growing throughout the Midwest, and along the southern and eastern coasts of the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 10-18" and features 12” tapering, soft textured, cylindrical leaves, leafless stems, and 2” violet scented, star-shaped, white flowers that have brown striped tepals. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, and ladybugs, repels aphids, carrot fly, Japanese beetles, and moles, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought and frost, is used to make fungicides and insecticides, is both edible and medicinal, and self sows!
(Allium schoenoprasum ‘Onion')
Onion Chive is a native clump-forming perennial herb that can be found growing throughout the northern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 20” and features 12” dark green grassy-like leaves and 16” stems that are topped with aromatic pale purple clover-like flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, ladybugs, and pollinating moths, repels aphids, carrot fly, Japanese beetles, and moles, is resistant to deer, tolerates drought and frost, is used to make fungicides and insecticides, is both edible and medicinal, and self sows!
(Liatris spicata ‘Marsh’)
Marsh Blazing Star is a native clump forming perennial flower that commonly grows in moist meadows and on the margins of marshes in the mid western United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 4-5' tall and features 6-12” spear shaped spiked heads that are covered in 1” feathery purple flowers that rest on firm leafy flower stalks which protrude from a tuft of 12” green grass like narrow leaves. This plant can be grown in containers, it attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, can be used as a cut flower, is drought resistant, makes potpourri, and has medicinal uses!
(Liatris ligulistylis ‘Meadow’)
Meadow Blazing Star is a native clump-forming perennial flower that is commonly found growing in areas of prairies and woods where gravel accumulates along streams, and on rocky slopes throughout the northern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 4-5' tall and features 1 1/2” semi spear shaped spiked heads that are covered in 1” feathery deep rose-purple flowers that rest on firm leafy flower stalks which protrude from a tuft of 6” green grass like narrow leaves. This plant can be grown in containers, it attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, provides bird forage, can be used as a cut flower, and is resistant to deer!