woodland wildflower
Scarlet Larkspur
Delphinium cardinale
1 of 2Native to California
Monterey to San Diego counties, California
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom May–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 9 ft to 2.7 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for partial shade and lean, dry soil. At up to 9 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Pollinators & wildlife
- Hummingbirds Allen's Hummingbird
- Bees Crotch's Bumble Bee
- Birds Spinus psaltria
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- CaliforniaUnited States (1): CA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Monterey to San Diego counties, CaliforniaThe 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.
- Soil
- Dry, rocky soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 9 ft (to 2.7 m)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
- May–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- RedThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.