Larkspur Discover Mix

By far the biggest enemy of young Larkspur seedlings are slugs and snails, for which the spring shoots are an irresistible treat. Young seedlings must be carefully protected – whether by mechanical barriers, regular removal, or eco-friendly pellets.

During the season, aphids may also appear on the stems and buds. A strong stream of water, or spraying with potassium soap or neem oil, works well to combat them.

Larkspurs are more susceptible to fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew, grey mold (Botrytis), or fusarium wilt. You can recognize powdery mildew by the typical white, floury coating on the leaves.

Prevention is key: maintain adequate spacing when planting (15-30 cm) so that air can circulate around the plants, and always water only at the roots, never on the leaves. If the plant does get sick, immediately remove the affected leaves and consider using a suitable organic or chemical fungicide.

We recommend direct sowing straight into the flower bed. Although the plants can be transplanted, direct sowing is much more natural and easier for them due to less root disturbance.

Sow the seeds either in the autumn (August to September) for early blooming, or early in the spring (March to May) for summer flowers. Plant the seeds at a depth of about 0.5 cm, as they absolutely require darkness to germinate. The ideal soil temperature for germination should be between 10 and 18 °C.

While many annuals germinate best on the soil surface (they are light-sensitive), Larkspur seeds behave the opposite way – they must not be exposed to light during germination.

In practice, this means you must not leave them lying on the surface when sowing, even if some general guides for annuals advise leaving the seeds uncovered. Carefully cover the Larkspur seeds with about a 0.5 cm layer of fine soil and press down lightly.

This specific Discover Mix was created to offer a cross-section of the most beautiful shades – from pure white, through light pink and lilac, to light purple. For an even representation of all these colors in your flower bed, it is best to sow the entire packet at once.

The packet is intentionally more generous. Direct sowing into a garden bed is naturally a bit more challenging than careful indoor sowing on a windowsill, so it is common that not every seed will develop into an adult plant.

Yes, both are a perfect choice! Larkspurs are fantastic cut flowers and last a really long time in a vase. Don't forget to change the water regularly and add a drop of flower food.

For drying, it is ideal to cut the stems when about a third to half of the flowers on the spike are open. Tie them into small bunches and hang the flowers upside down in a dry, dark, and well-ventilated place. The flowers will retain their beautiful color even after they have completely dried.

Larkspur thrive best in full sun, but they can handle partial shade without any problems. The soil should be well-drained, loamy, and ideally rich in humus.

Plants do not like waterlogging, so avoid areas where water collects. Given that they reach an impressive height of 60 to 120 cm, also choose a spot protected from strong wind, or plant them directly next to a suitable support.

The most common reason for a lack of flowers is a lack of a cool period (known as vernalization). For a Larkspur to begin producing flowers, it needs to go through a period of about 6 weeks where temperatures are between 0 and 10 °C.

If you sowed the seeds too late in the spring and outdoor temperatures were already consistently high, the plant simply did not get the trigger to start producing flowers. This could also be caused by a location that is too dark and shady or by over-fertilization with nitrogen, which only promotes lush foliage growth.

Please note that Larkspur (Delphinium consolida) is a poisonous plant in all its parts (especially the seeds and young shoots). It is not edible and must not be used to decorate cakes or dishes!

If you have small children or pets in your garden that might nibble on the plant, please carefully consider its placement. For sensitive individuals, we recommend wearing gloves when handling the plant (e.g., during pruning).

Certainly. Larkspurs are reliably frost-hardy down to -15 °C.

Autumn sowing (in August or September) fully utilizes this great feature. After sowing, the seeds germinate and form small, hardy plants that successfully overwinter under the snow. In the spring, they start their growth very early and easily fulfill the requirement of 6 cold weeks needed for future abundant blooming. In the right spot, they will also very readily reseed themselves from year to year.

Yes, it is literally a magnet for beneficial pollinators! 🐝

Although the flowers do not have a strong scent, their bright colors and specific shape unmistakably attract bees, bumblebees, and butterflies to the garden. Larkspur flowers have an elongated spur full of nectar, which is a delicacy especially for bumblebees with longer proboscises. You will get not only a beautiful display for your flower bed but also great support for the local ecosystem.

This plant is officially classified as suitable for beginners, so you definitely don't need to worry about growing it. The key to success is simply to follow the correct sowing time (so the plant experiences spring or autumn coolness), sow the seeds at the correct depth, and provide stable support against the wind. Your reward will be a rich, colorful flower bed from the Loukykvět collection that will brighten up any garden.