Delphinium grandiflorum L.

Nomenclature and Common Names

Delphinium grandiflorum is a Delphinium species with the common names Siberian larkspur and Chinese delphinium. It is native to Russia and China.

Cultivars

Several popular cultivars of this species, which come in a range of colors, are grown as ornamental plants; these cultivars include 'Blue Butterfly', 'Summer Morning', 'Blue Mirror', and 'Summer Stars'.

Toxicity

Like many other larkspurs, Delphinium grandiflorum is poisonous.

Growth Habit Compared to D. elatum

Compared to the more familiar, tall Delphinium elatum, this species is much shorter and more compact, and it bears dispersed flowers rather than single spikes.

Perennial Lifespan

It is a short-lived perennial, and is often recommended to be grown as if it were an annual, because it is unpredictable whether it will return to grow the next season.

Seed Production and Flowering

This species readily produces seed pods that allow it to reseed on its own, though allowing it to set seed speeds up the end of its flowering period.

Blue Flower Intensity

Delphinium grandiflorum is commonly said to have the most intense blue flowers of any species in the Delphinium genus, but this intensity depends on the specific variety, individual plant, freshness of the blossom, and growing conditions. In bright sunlight, the intense blue pigment of its flowers can make them appear to glow or look fluorescent.

Flower Color Range

Flower colors available for this species include deep blue, medium blue, pale blue, white, and light pale pink.

Absent Flower Color

No lavender varieties of this species exist, unlike what is seen in rocket larkspur (Delphinium ajacis, also classified as Consolida) and D. elatum.

Propagation Method

Unlike these two other species, D. grandiflorum is typically purchased as nursery-grown plants by gardeners, rather than grown from purchased seed. The only exceptions are when gardeners already own plants and collect their seed, or let the plants reseed on their own.

Seed Availability

Rocket larkspur seed is far less expensive, and seed for spike-type delphiniums is more widely available for purchase than seed for D. grandiflorum.

Nursery Plant Availability

Nursery-grown D. grandiflorum plants are widely available in the United States, and can be found at stores including Walmart and Lowe's.

Variety Heights

Both dwarf and standard height varieties are available; even the standard height varieties of D. grandiflorum are short when compared to cultivated spike-type delphiniums.