Provide full to part sun (4+hrs/day).

This native was collected from the Flint Hills region of the Kansas prairie. Soil type is clay to loamy clay. This plant should do well in similar soil and can tolerate rocky areas as well.

Native to hardiness zone 6b (-5 to 0 °F).

Larkspur can tolerate droughty conditions once established. During the plant’s first 1-2 years, water deeply when the top 2-4 inches of soil is dry..

Larkspur does not need extensive nutrient support. If you know that your soil is poor, consider adding a small amount of compost at planting, working it evenly into the surrounding top 6-8” of soil.

If you know that your soil has acidic leanings, consider amending with lime. (Most Kansas soils don’t have this issue.)

As a perennial, larkspur is best established after soil has warmed in May/June or 4-6 weeks before our first frost in the fall.

Early Summer (May to June)

Larkspur has a clumping habit and will shoot a tall flower spike up mid-May.

Larkspur has tuberous roots and will die back to the ground mid summer. Never fear! It will make a comeback when temperatures cool off.

Housed in the ranunculus family, plains larkspur comes into full glory early in the summer before dying back for the hottest and most dry part of the year. Don’t worry! It will bounce back from its starchy roots as temperatures cool again.