woodland wildflower
Red larkspur
Delphinium nudicaule
Also known as Orange Larkspur, Christmas Horns
1 of 2Native to California and Oregon
Central and northern California and southern Oregon
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones 6–10 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Mar–Jun Flowering time
- Height up to 4 ft to 1.2 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for partial shade and lean, dry soil. Its red and orange flowers peak in April. At up to 4 ft, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 6–10.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Red larkspur's red and orange flowers bloom March to June, peaking in April. This spring display draws butterflies.
Red larkspur blooms red & orangeFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Butterflies California Pipevine Swallowtail also Zerene eurydice
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Pipevine swallowtailnectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- California and OregonUnited States (2): CA, OR. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Central and northern California and southern OregonThe 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
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6–10The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Dry, rocky soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 4 ft (to 1.2 m)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~1 ft (0.3 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Mar–JunWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Red, OrangeThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Apr–JunThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.