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Delphinium exaltatum

Delphinium exaltatum Aiton

Tall Larkspur

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: DEEX

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A large, coarse plant with a 2-6 ft. leafy stem; deep-green, lobed leaves; and blue, spurred flowers in a loose, narrow, terminal spike.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AL , KY , MD , ME , MO , NC , OH , PA , TN , VA , WV
Native Distribution: PA to NC, w. to OH & AL
Native Habitat: Woods; slopes

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Soil Description: Rich, calcareous soils.
Conditions Comments: Gives midsummer color and requires no special care.

Propagation

Description: Propagation by seeds and division.
Seed Collection: Seeds are formed dry in a pod, which call for close observation in order to collect seeds before they are thrown out.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

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Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Delphinium exaltatum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Delphinium exaltatum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Delphinium exaltatum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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