prairie wildflower
Upland larkspur
Delphinium nuttallianum
Also known as Twolobe Larkspur, Two-lobe Larkspur, Delphinium
1 of 2Native to the Pacific Coast, the Southwest, and the Rockies and southern Canada
Southwestern British Columbia, southern, in the Cascade foothills, to California, east to Alberta, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado and Arizona
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones 3–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 30 in to 76 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for full sun and lean, dry soil. Its white flowers peak in May. At up to 30 in, it suits meadows and sunny borders. Hardy in USDA zones 3–9.
Growing conditions
Hardiness zones
When it blooms
The Upland larkspur's white flowers bloom April to July, peaking in May. This late-spring display draws bees and hummingbirds.
Upland larkspur blooms white, blue & purpleFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Hunt's Bumble Bee
also Bombus fervidus, Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee, Two-form Bumble Bee +13 more
Orange-legged Furrow Bee, Yellow-fronted Bumble Bee, California Bumble Bee, Nevada Bumble Bee, Confusing Furrow Bee, Indiscriminate Cuckoo Bumble Bee, Orange-tipped Wood-digger, White-shouldered Bumble Bee, Western Bumble Bee, Bufflehead Mason Bee, Dimple-cheeked Miner Bee, Andrena transnigra, Bombus balteatus - Hummingbirds Rufous Hummingbird also Calliope Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- Butterflies Anise Swallowtail also Pale Swallowtail
- Also visited by
- Flower flies: Cheilosia (Cheilosia)
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Pale swallowtailnectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Pacific Coast, the Southwest, and the Rockies and southern CanadaUnited States (13): AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NE, NM, NV, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY. Canada (1): BC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Southwestern British Columbia, southern, in the Cascade foothills, to California, east to Alberta, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado and ArizonaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9 · Canadian 1–8The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Dry, well-drained 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 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–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- White, Blue, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens May–AugThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.