Larkspur Delphinium 'Claire'
ABOUT
Delphinium 'Claire' is a visually striking plant known for its beautiful, tall spires of flowers. This plant typically bears blooms that are a soft, pastel blue with a hint of lavender. The flowers are densely packed on the stalk and bloom in a gradient, with the color often appearing more saturated at the edge of each petal. Each individual blossom is comprised of five petal-like sepals that fan out around a central, somewhat puffy, bee-attracting part called the bee. Delphinium 'Claire' has a lush foliage base made up of deeply lobed, medium green leaves which provide a lovely contrast to the delicate hues of the flowers above. The overall look of Delphinium 'Claire' is one of classic garden elegance, adding vertical interest and a cottage-garden feel to any landscape in which it's placed. It exudes an air of grace and charm that can enhance the visual appeal of gardens and outdoor spaces.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Larkspur, Delphinium
Common names
Delphinium 'Claire'
ToxicityTo humans
Larkspur, including the variety Delphinium 'Claire', is toxic to humans. All parts of the plant contain poisonous alkaloids, with the seeds and young leaves being particularly potent. Ingestion can lead to a variety of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and muscular weakness. In severe cases, poisoning can cause paralysis, cardiac complications, and respiratory failure, which can be fatal.
To pets
Larkspur is also toxic to pets. If ingested, the plant can cause similar symptoms in animals as it does in humans, including gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhea, drooling, muscular weakness, seizures, and possibly death. Particular caution should be taken with horses, as they are especially sensitive to the plant's toxic alkaloids.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
6 feet (1.8 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Northern Hemisphere
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: The Delphinium 'Claire' is known for its striking blue flowers that add beauty and a pop of color to any garden.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers are great for attracting bees and butterflies, which are important pollinators for many plants in the garden.
- Vertical Interest: With its tall spikes of flowers, Delphinium 'Claire' can add height and structure to garden borders or flower beds.
- Cut Flower Garden Addition: The blooms are suitable for cutting and make excellent fresh cut flowers for arrangements and bouquets.
- Seasonal Colors: This perennial often blooms in late spring to early summer, providing seasonal interest in the garden.
- Garden Design Versatility: Can be used in a variety of garden designs, including cottage gardens, perennial borders, and formal garden settings.
- Combination Planting: Works well when planted in combination with other perennials that bloom at different times, to ensure continuous color in the garden.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Delphiniums can serve as a natural fabric dye, particularly the 'Claire' variety, which can lend a soft blue hue to textiles.
- Insect deterrent, some gardeners plant Delphinium 'Claire' among vegetables to repel certain pests with their strong scent and toxic properties.
- Photography prop, due to their striking appearance, Delphinium 'Claire' flowers are commonly used to enhance the aesthetic of garden and nature photography.
- Companion planting, Delphinium 'Claire' can be used to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to the garden, supporting the growth of nearby plants through improved pollination.
- Delphinium 'Claire' can be used as a natural marker for crop rotation in gardens, thanks to their distinctive growth habit and seasonality.
- Education, these plants are utilized in teaching botany and horticulture, demonstrating plant growth habits and breeding techniques.
- Garden design, Delphinium 'Claire' is used for vertical accent in perennial borders due to its tall spires of flowers which can help to create depth in garden designs.
- Symbolic uses, owing to their beauty, Delphinium 'Claire' is sometimes used in ceremonies and events as a symbol of positivity and protection.
- Delphinium 'Claire' can be used in crafting, such as pressing the flowers for decorative purposes in scrapbooking or card making.
- Memento, the dried flowers of Delphinium 'Claire' are often kept in memory boxes or used in potpourri to preserve the memory of a special event or garden.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Delphinium is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Delphinium is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Protection: Delphiniums, also known as Larkspur, are often associated with protection, due to the ancient belief that they could ward off scorpions and other dangers.
- Lightness and Levity: The delicate structure and light blue to violet colors of the Larkspur flowers symbolize a sense of lightness and joy.
- Big-heartedness: The expansive blooms of the Larkspur represent a heart open to love and positive emotions, denoting generosity of spirit.
- Ardent Attachment: Larkspur, especially in its deep blue hues, signifies strong bonds of love.
- Health and Wellness: Historically, Larkspur has been used in folk medicine, symbolizing well-being and the restoration of health.
- New Opportunities: Blooming in early spring, Larkspur is often seen as a symbol for new life and new opportunities.
WaterLarkspur, commonly known as Delphinium 'Claire', requires consistent moisture but must not be overwatered to prevent root rot. Water the plant deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry, generally once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions. Each watering should provide enough water to soak the root zone, roughly equivalent to 1-1.5 gallons, to encourage deep root development. During the peak of summer, watering frequency may increase, and mulching can help retain soil moisture.
LightLarkspur thrives best in full sun to partial shade, with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. The ideal spot for Delphinium 'Claire' is in a location where it receives morning sunlight and some afternoon shade during the hottest part of the day, especially in warmer climates.
TemperatureLarkspur enjoys cooler climates and will flourish in temperatures ranging from 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive minimum temperatures down to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit but are not tolerant of extreme heat; anything consistently above 85 degrees Fahrenheit can be detrimental to the plant.
PruningLarkspur should be pruned to remove spent flower stalks, which encourages additional flowering. Also, pruning in late winter or early spring, removing any dead or damaged stems, helps maintain plant health and appearance. Pruning is typically done after the first wave of blooming.
CleaningAs needed
SoilLarkspur 'Claire' thrives in well-draining loamy soil enriched with organic matter; it prefers slightly alkaline conditions with a soil pH between 6.8 and 7.5, incorporating compost or aged manure can optimize growth.
RepottingLarkspur 'Claire' should ideally be repotted every 2 to 3 years to replenish the soil and give the roots more room to grow, with careful handling due to its taproot.
Humidity & MistingLarkspur 'Claire' tolerates average humidity levels and does not require any special humidity adjustments; it is more crucial to ensure good soil drainage and airflow.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light and cool temps for larkspur 'Claire'.
Outdoor
Plant larkspur 'Claire' in full sun with good drainage.
Hardiness zone
3-7 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of the Delphinium 'Claire', more commonly known as "Claire Delphinium," begins with seed germination, which requires cold stratification to break dormancy. Once the seeds sprout, seedlings are established through a period of growth that includes developing true leaves and a root system. The plant then enters a vegetative stage where it produces a rosette of basal leaves and develops a sturdy stem in preparation for flowering. The next phase is the flowering stage, during which the Claire Delphinium produces tall spikes adorned with beautiful blue or violet flowers that are pollinated by insects or hummingbirds, leading to seed production. After flowering, the plant sets seeds that are dispersed to create new plants, completing the reproductive cycle. In many climates, the Claire Delphinium is a perennial, dying back to the ground in winter and reemerging from its root system in spring, thus beginning a new growth cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Delphinium 'Claire', commonly known as Larkspur, is typically propagated by seed. To propagate Larkspur by seed, you should ideally plant the seeds in late winter to early spring. Sow the seeds thinly and cover them lightly with soil, as they require darkness to germinate. The ideal temperature for germination is around 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius). Seeds will usually germinate in about 2 to 3 weeks. Young plants should be transplanted to their final location once all risk of frost has passed and they have developed a set of true leaves. It's important to provide ample space between plants for air circulation as Larkspur is prone to fungal diseases.
