Larkspur Delphinium 'Misty Mauves' (New Millennium Series) (d)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

Delphinium 'Misty Mauves' from the New Millennium Series is a striking perennial known for its majestic spires adorned with lush flowers. The blooms present a soft gradient of purple hues, from pale lavender to deeper mauve shades, revealing a misty and ethereal quality that can add romance to any garden setting. Each elegant flower is composed of numerous smaller petals arrayed around a central bee or eye, which is often a darker or contrasting color, adding depth and intrigue to the overall display. The flowering stalks arise from mounds of deeply lobed, green foliage, which sets a verdant stage for the floral spectacle above. The leaves themselves are often finely textured, providing a pleasant tactile as well as visual experience. Delphinium 'Misty Mauves' contributes vertical interest and a touch of whimsy to borders and beds with its graceful form and enchanting color palette.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Ranunculaceae
- Synonyms
  Larkspur, Candle Delphinium, Candle Larkspur
- Common names
  Delphinium 'Misty Mauves'
Toxicity
- To humans
  Delphinium is toxic to humans. Ingesting any part of the plant can lead to severe digestive upset, muscular and nervous system dysfunction. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, and cardiac problems. In severe cases, ingestion can be fatal.
- To pets
  Delphinium is also toxic to pets such as cats and dogs. Poisoning symptoms include drooling, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, muscular tremors, respiratory difficulties, and potential cardiac failure. Ingestion can be deadly, and it is crucial to seek veterinary attention immediately if a pet has consumed any part of the plant.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mauve
- Height
  4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  3-7
- Native area
  Hybrid

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts pollinators: Delphinium 'Misty Mauves' is known to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to the garden, which can help with the pollination of other plants.
- Enhances garden aesthetics: With its stunning mauve to purple flowers, this delphinium adds a striking vertical element and a splash of vibrant color to garden beds and borders.
- Cut flower use: The long stems and beautiful blooms make Delphinium 'Misty Mauves' an excellent choice for cut flower arrangements.
- Cottage garden charm: This plant is ideal for creating a classic cottage garden look due to its traditional shape and flowers.
- Seasonal color: Delphiniums typically bloom in early summer, providing a burst of color when many other plants have not yet reached their peak.
- Perennial growth: As a perennial, this delphinium will return year after year, offering long-term presence in the garden.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Art and Craft Projects: The vibrant flowers of Delphinium can be pressed and used in creating decorative bookmarks, cards, or incorporated into scrapbooks for a touch of natural beauty.
- Photography: Gardeners and photographers may use Delphinium 'Misty Mauves' as a stunning background or as a focus subject for floral photography, taking advantage of their tall structure and colorful blooms.
- Culinary Garnish: While not widely known for culinary use, the petals of certain Delphinium varieties may be used as an ornamental garnish for salads and desserts, provided they are free from pesticides and confirmed non-toxic.
- Fabric Dyeing: Historically, some flowers and plants have been used to dye fabrics, and Delphinium petals could potentially contribute subtle hues to natural fabric dyeing processes.
- Memory Gardens: Delphinium 'Misty Mauves' can be planted in memory gardens as a tribute to loved ones, symbolizing attachment and remembrance with their lofty spires and deep color.
- Education: Delphinium can play a role in educational settings, teaching students about plant biology, cultivation, and the importance of pollinators in the garden.
- Theme Gardens: Incorporating Delphinium 'Misty Mauves' into a color-themed garden can create a striking visual when combined with other plants that have complementary hues.
- Mood Enhancement: Having Delphinium in view can help create a calming environment, potentially improving mood with their serene appearance and connection to nature.
- Seasonal Festivities: Delphinium’s tall blooms make them suitable for decorations during various festivities, particularly in spring and summer events where their height and color can add to the celebratory atmosphere.
- Pet Deterrents: Due to their toxic nature, planting Delphinium 'Misty Mauves' in certain areas of the garden may discourage pets from digging or lounging in those spots, helping to maintain the overall design and integrity of garden beds.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Delphinium is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Delphinium is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Protection: Delphiniums are often associated with protection due to their tall and stately presence, which can be interpreted as a protective barrier.
- Openness to New Possibilities: The name 'New Millennium Series' suggests forward-thinking and embracing new opportunities, ideals often associated with this specific series of delphiniums.
- Lightness and Levity: The airy quality of delphinium blooms, particularly in the 'Misty Mauves' varietal with its delicate color, symbolizes a sense of lightness and a carefree attitude.
- Fun: The vibrant and playful mauve color of this delphinium variety can represent a fun and joyful disposition, bringing a sense of whimsy to a garden.
- Big-hearted: Delphinium flowers, with their grandeur and impressive height, symbolize having a large or generous heart.
- Ardent Attachment: The bloom's impressive stature and the way it reaches towards the sky can reflect an ardent attachment or a strong bond to a person or concept.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Larkspur, commonly known as Delphinium, requires consistent moisture, especially during the growth and bloom periods. The watering frequency often depends on the climate and soil conditions, but generally, the plant should be watered deeply once or twice a week to maintain evenly moist soil. During particularly hot or dry weather, you may need to increase the frequency. A good practice is to add about 1 gallon of water per plant during each watering session, ensuring that the water reaches the deep root zone without causing standing water, which can lead to root rot.
Light
Larkspur thrives in environments with full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. However, in regions with particularly intense midday sun, some afternoon shade can help protect the plant from scorching. The ideal spot for this plant would be a location that receives morning sun and partial shade during the hottest part of the day, ensuring a bright but protected environment.
Temperature
The ideal growing temperatures for Larkspur are between 50°F and 65°F. Larkspur can survive minimum temperatures as low as 40°F and maximum temperatures of about 75°F, but extreme temperatures outside of this range can stress the plant. For optimal growth and flowering, ensure that the temperature conditions stay within the preferred range and protect the plant from harsh weather conditions.
Pruning
To encourage more blooms and vigour, Larkspur should be pruned regularly. Deadhead spent flowers to stimulate new blooms. After the main bloom period, cutting back the flower stalks can often prompt a second bloom. Prune any damaged or dead foliage to maintain plant health and appearance. Late winter or early spring, before new growth begins, is the best time for more extensive pruning.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Larkspur requires well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. A good mix might include equal parts garden soil, compost, and coarse sand or perlite to ensure adequate drainage and fertility.
Repotting
Larkspur, being a perennial, doesn't often require repotting. It's best to divide clumps every 3-4 years in early spring to rejuvenate and propagate the plants.
Humidity & Misting
Larkspur thrives in moderate humidity levels, typical of outdoor environments. There's no specific humidity requirement, but avoid excessively dry or overly humid conditions that could foster disease.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure full sun, cool temperatures, and well-draining soil mix.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, enrich soil, and ensure good drainage.
- Hardiness zone
  3-7 USDA
Life cycle
The life of the Delphinium 'Misty Mauves' begins with seed germination in spring, in a cold environment, as they require a cold period to break dormancy. Once the seedlings emerge, they grow rapidly and can be transplanted into the garden when they are large enough to handle and the threat of frost has passed. Throughout the spring and early summer, it develops a rosette of foliage and sends up tall flower spikes covered in soft mauve flowers that attract pollinators. After blooming, which typically occurs in early summer, if spent flowers are removed, it may encourage a second flush of blooms in late summer or early fall. As an herbaceous perennial, the plant will die back to the ground in autumn after it has set seed, with the roots surviving underground during winter. In the following spring, the Delphinium 'Misty Mauves' regrows from its overwintering rootstock, completing its life cycle and starting the process anew.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Delphinium 'Misty Mauves', a member of the New Millennium Series, is often propagated from seed as the most popular method. To do this, sow seeds early in the year, ideally between January and March, using well-draining soil and ensuring the seeds are barely covered with soil to allow for light to reach them, which aids in germination. It is essential to maintain a temperature around 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius) for optimal germination rates. The seedlings should be kept moist, but not waterlogged, and once they have developed a few true leaves, they can be carefully transplanted into individual pots to grow on until they are strong enough to be moved outdoors. In colder regions, it might be best to wait until the threat of frost has passed before planting them out in the garden.