woodland wildflower
Wild Blue Larkspur
Delphinium carolinianum
Also known as Prairie Larkspur, Carolina Larkspur, Blue Larkspur
1 of 3Native to the Southeast, the Great Plains, and the Midwest
Central Texas to Florida, north to Iowa, Illinois and Tennessee
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones 4–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 5 ft to 1.5 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for partial shade and lean, dry soil. Its white flowers peak in May. At up to 5 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 4–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Wild Blue Larkspur's white flowers bloom April to July, peaking in May. This late-spring display draws bees and butterflies.
Wild Blue Larkspur blooms white, blue & violetFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees American Bumble Bee
also Bombus fervidus, Black-and-gold Bumble Bee, Half-black Bumble Bee +4 more
California Bumble Bee, Nevada Bumble Bee, Xylocopa tabaniformis parkinsoniae, Sonoran Bumble Bee - Butterflies Monarch
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Monarch butterflynectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Southeast, the Great Plains, and the MidwestUnited States (16): AL, AR, FL, GA, IA, IL, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, NE, OK, SC, TN, TX. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Central Texas to Florida, north to Iowa, Illinois and TennesseeThe 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 4–9 · Canadian 5–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Dry, sandy soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Acid-based, CalcareousThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Water use
- LowHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 5 ft (to 1.5 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
- Apr–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- White, Blue, VioletThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens May–JulThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.