Delphinium carolinianum

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Carolina Larkspur, Prairie Larkspur

RANUNCULACEAE

Plant Specifics

Form:Flower
Size:3-4 (6) ft tall by 1.5-2 ft wide
Life Span:Short-lived perennial
Flower Color:Blue, white, purple
Phenology:Blooms in spring and goes dormant in summer.
Noted for:Showy flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:Wildflower gardens.
Propagation:Readily reseeds.
Availability:Seed
Light: Full Sun,  Part Shade
Moisture Tolerance:
always floodedextremely dry
 (Somewhat moist, no flooding ----- to ----- Somewhat long very dry periods)
Moisture Tolerance: Somewhat moist, no flooding ----- to ----- Somewhat long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance:Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray.
Soil or other substrate:Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH:Somewhat acidic to highly calcareous

Ecology

Wildlife:
Insects:
  
Native Habitats:Prairies, rocky glades

Distribution and Planting Zones

Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones

Suitable to grow in:
8A 8B 

USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures

Comments

Ethnobotany:This is an old southern garden favorite.
General Comments:

This species is more common in adjacent states and occurs broadly in mid-western prairies.  Its range barely makes it into Florida.  

The southern end of the range is likely determined by lack of winter cold.  The seeds germinate better with winter stratification.

Delphinium caroliniana is listed as state Endangered in Florida.  It is not commercially available in Florida.  It might best be purchased from Alabama or Georgia seed sources.