‘QIS Carmine’ — annual delphinium spikes in deep pink for the cutting garden, planted in fall for March–April bloom. Full sun, regular water, a stake, and all parts are toxic.
Larkspur is the annual delphinium, and in the low desert it is far easier than the perennial kind: fall-planted transplants sit as ferny rosettes through winter and then throw two- to three-foot spikes of densely packed flowers in March and April — the best cut-flower spike of the spring garden. ‘QIS Carmine’ is a florist strain in a deep pink-carmine bred for long straight stems.
Fall planting only; spring-planted larkspur bolts short. Every part of the plant is toxic — keep it out of the vegetable garden and away from children and pets. The rest of the color tables are on our Annual Flowers & Foliage page.
This is the larkspur we commonly carry. Availability changes week to week and season to season, so call (480) 987-3308 or stop in to see what’s on the bench today.
Consolida ajacis ‘QIS Carmine’: a florist-series larkspur with long, straight, densely flowered spikes to three feet in carmine pink. Fall-planted; blooms March–April.
Looking for one that isn’t listed? Ask — we can usually suggest a close match or tell you when it tends to come around.
The care tag was written somewhere else. This is the Queen Creek version.
Set out from mid-October through December. Larkspur needs the cool months to develop; plants set out in February or later bolt at a foot tall and flower briefly. Fall plantings spike in March and April and finish by May. Frost-hardy.
Well-drained soil amended with compost. Water every three to four days through winter and every two to three days as the spikes rise in March, at the base. Consistent moisture gives longer spikes; drought makes them short and sparse.
Cut spikes for the vase when the bottom third of the flowers are open; they last a week and dry well hung upside down. Cutting the main spike encourages side spikes. Let a few plants set seed in May for volunteers in fall.
Full sun. In shade the spikes are thin and lean toward the light.
Three-foot spikes fall over in spring wind. Plant in a block six to eight inches apart so they support each other, run a grid of string between stakes at knee height for a cutting row, or stake individual plants in a border.
All parts of larkspur — seeds most of all — are toxic to people, pets and livestock. Site it away from the vegetable garden and out of reach of children and dogs, and wash hands after handling. Aphids and slugs occasionally; powdery mildew in the last weeks is normal.
Snap a photo of the spot — sun direction, wall color, pot size — and we’ll pick a season-correct combination with you. Advice is free.
Annuals succeed or fail on what’s under them. We stock planting mix and compost for beds, potting mix for containers, bloom fertilizers including Tony’s Magic Mix and Magic Flower, starter fertilizer, drip fittings and frost cloth for the cold nights. The pottery yard has glazed and terracotta pots from 4-inch to whiskey-barrel size, window boxes and hanging baskets, and soil and mulch is sold by the bag or by the yard.
Mid-October through December. Spring plantings bolt short.
Yes — all parts, especially the seeds, are toxic to people, pets and livestock. Plant it away from the vegetable garden and where children and dogs don’t play.
Every three to four days through winter, every two to three days while the spikes are rising in spring.
Yes in wind. Plant closely so the stems support each other, or run string between stakes.
When the lower third of the spike is open. It lasts a week and dries well.
It self-sows freely if you let plants set seed in May. Seedlings appear with the first cool weather in fall.
Larkspur live on the annuals tables; any staff member can point you to them. Locally owned, and a short drive from San Tan Valley, Gilbert, Chandler and Mesa.