woodland wildflower
Dwarf larkspur
Delphinium tricorne
Also known as Spring Larkspur
1 of 2Native to much of the USA
Pennsylvania to Iowa, south to Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–May Flowering time
- Height up to 30 in to 76 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for partial shade and evenly moist soil. At up to 30 in, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee
also Eastern Carpenter Bee, Two-spotted Bumble Bee, American Bumble Bee +19 more
Ligated Furrow Bee, Black-and-gold Bumble Bee, Half-black Bumble Bee, Orange-legged Furrow Bee, Agapostemon texanus, Golden Sweat Bee, Silky Striped Sweat Bee, Bufflehead Mason Bee, Ceratina dupla, Anthophora ursina, Illinois Sweat Bee, Cresson's Nomad Bee, Goatsbeard Miner Bee, Williston's Cellophane Bee, Lasioglossum cattellae, Beautiful Long-horned Bee, Lasioglossum coriaceum, Eucera dubitata, Tetragona dissecta - Butterflies Pipevine Swallowtail also Spicebush Swallowtail, Anosia plexippus
- Moths White-lined Sphinx also Snowberry Clearwing
- Also visited by
- Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Flower flies: Hemipenthes sinuosus
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Pipevine swallowtailnectar
- Spicebush swallowtailnectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USAUnited States (20): AL, AR, DC, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, MS, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Pennsylvania to Iowa, south to Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas and eastern OklahomaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Rich, moist soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 30 in (to 76 cm)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–MayWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- White, Blue, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.