Delphinium Seed ( Annual )

Fancy Smokey Eyes Delphinium is an elegant lacy-flowered delphinium selection known for its soft white blooms washed with smoky lavender, pale lilac, and subtle gray-blue tones. The delicate semi-double to double flowers rise on graceful stems above finely cut foliage, creating a refined, romantic display in borders, cottage gardens, and cutting gardens. Its cool pastel coloring gives the plant a misty, old-fashioned charm, while the upright flower spikes provide beautiful vertical interest from late spring into summer.

Garden Uses:
Fancy Smokey Eyes is ideal for cottage gardens, perennial borders, cutting gardens, pollinator plantings, and romantic mixed flower beds. The pale lavender-white flowers blend beautifully with roses, foxgloves, campanula, dianthus, larkspur, cosmos, snapdragons, and ornamental grasses. The tall, airy stems are excellent for adding height and softness to borders, while the unusual smoky coloring makes the blooms especially attractive in fresh floral arrangements.

Growing Information:
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before outdoor planting time, or sow outdoors in cool weather. Delphinium seed often germinates best with cool conditions and consistent moisture. Sow lightly on the surface of moist seed-starting mix and cover very lightly. Germination may occur in 14-28 days. Plants prefer full sun in cooler climates and light afternoon shade in hot regions. Provide fertile, well-drained soil and regular moisture. Fancy Smokey Eyes typically grows 24-36 inches tall, though height may vary with growing conditions. Taller stems may benefit from light support in windy locations.

Blue Pygmy Delphinium is a compact, dainty delphinium selection valued for its vivid blue flowers and finely divided, fern-like foliage. Unlike taller delphiniums that often require staking and more garden space, Blue Pygmy stays low and manageable while still providing the graceful flower form and cool blue color that make delphiniums so beloved. Its smaller stature makes it especially useful for containers, edging, rock gardens, cottage gardens, and front-of-border plantings where its delicate flowers can be enjoyed up close.

Garden Uses:
Blue Pygmy is ideal for containers, patio planters, edging, rock gardens, cottage gardens, pollinator plantings, and the front of flower borders. The bright blue blooms provide beautiful contrast with white alyssum, yellow coreopsis, pink dianthus, dwarf cosmos, snapdragons, lobelia, and silver foliage plants. Its compact habit also makes it a good choice for small gardens where traditional tall delphiniums may be too large.

Growing Information:
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before outdoor planting time, or sow outdoors in cool spring or fall weather. Delphinium seeds often germinate best under cool, evenly moist conditions. Sow on the surface of moist seed-starting mix and cover very lightly. Germination may take 14-28 days. Plants prefer full sun in cooler climates and light afternoon shade in hot regions. Provide fertile, well-drained soil and steady moisture for best growth. Blue Pygmy typically grows 10-18 inches tall and forms a compact, branching plant.

Rose Queen Delphinium is a graceful annual flower grown for its tall, elegant spikes of soft rose-pink blooms. Often listed as Delphinium consolida or annual larkspur, this variety brings cottage-garden height, pastel color, and excellent cutting value to spring and early summer flower beds.

Garden Uses

Rose Queen is especially useful in borders, cottage gardens, cutting gardens, and mixed annual beds where vertical color is needed. Its upright flower spikes make a beautiful backdrop for lower-growing annuals and pair well with blue, white, lavender, and soft yellow flowers.

The rose-pink color is gentle enough for romantic garden designs yet bright enough to stand out in a sunny border. It is also a fine choice for fresh flower arrangements, adding height and an old-fashioned garden look to bouquets.

Growing Information

Sow seeds in cool weather, as larkspur performs best when temperatures are mild. In many areas, seeds may be sown in fall for spring bloom, or very early in spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Seeds germinate best in cool soil and should be lightly covered.

Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Plants dislike being transplanted once established, so direct sowing is often preferred. Thin seedlings to allow good air circulation and sturdy flower spike development. Taller plants may benefit from light support in windy sites.

Once established, Rose Queen is fairly easy to grow and will reward the gardener with tall, showy blooms. Deadheading may extend flowering, while allowing some seed heads to mature can encourage self-sowing where conditions are favorable.

Pink Queen Delphinium is a lovely annual larkspur grown for its tall, upright spikes of clear pink flowers. Often listed as Delphinium consolida, this old-fashioned garden favorite brings soft color, height, and excellent cutting value to spring and early summer flower gardens.

Garden Uses

Pink Queen is a beautiful choice for cottage gardens, annual borders, wildflower-style plantings, and cutting gardens. Its vertical flower spikes add height and structure, making it especially useful behind lower-growing annuals or along fences and garden paths.

The soft pink blooms combine well with white alyssum, blue cornflowers, lavender larkspur, poppies, nigella, and other traditional cottage-garden flowers. Planted in groups, Pink Queen creates a charming ribbon of color that is both graceful and showy.

Growing Information

Pink Queen grows best in cool weather and should be direct sown where it is to bloom. Seeds may be planted in fall in mild-winter areas for spring flowering, or very early in spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Cool soil helps encourage good germination.

Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Cover seed lightly and keep the seedbed evenly moist until germination. Because larkspur forms a taproot and does not like transplanting, direct sowing is usually the best method.

Thin seedlings to allow good air movement and strong flower spike development. Taller plants may appreciate support in windy gardens. Once established, plants are fairly easy to grow and may self-sow if seed heads are allowed to mature.

Blue Spire Delphinium is a striking annual larkspur grown for its tall, upright spikes of rich blue to violet-blue flowers. Often listed as Delphinium consolida, this cool-season annual adds dramatic vertical color to spring borders, cottage gardens, wildflower plantings, and cut flower gardens.

Garden Uses

Blue Spire is one of the best annual flowers for adding height and deep color to the garden. Its tall flower spikes are excellent for the back of borders, along fences, in cottage gardens, and in mixed annual beds where a strong vertical accent is needed.

The blue blooms combine beautifully with pink, white, lavender, yellow, and soft rose flowers. It is especially attractive when planted with poppies, cornflowers, alyssum, nigella, cosmos, and other old-fashioned annuals. In mass plantings, Blue Spire creates a bold ribbon of cool color that stands out beautifully in spring and early summer.

Growing Information

Blue Spire performs best in cool weather and should be direct sown where it is to grow. Seeds may be planted in fall in mild-winter regions for spring bloom, or very early in spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Cool soil conditions help encourage better germination and stronger early growth.

Select a sunny site with well-drained garden soil. Cover the seed lightly and keep the seedbed evenly moist until germination. Since annual larkspur develops a taproot and does not transplant easily, direct sowing is usually the most reliable method.

Thin seedlings to allow good air circulation and sturdy flower spike development. Taller plants may need light support in windy locations. Once established, Blue Spire is fairly easy to grow and may self-sow if seed heads are allowed to mature.

King Arthur Delphinium is a magnificent perennial delphinium prized for its towering flower spikes of deep royal purple blooms accented by contrasting white “bees” at the center of each flower. A member of the Pacific Giant type delphiniums, Delphinium cultorum 'King Arthur' creates a dramatic display in cottage gardens, perennial borders, and cutting gardens where height and rich color are desired.

Garden Uses

King Arthur is one of the finest vertical accent plants available for the perennial flower garden. Its stately flower spikes can reach impressive heights, creating a striking focal point in borders and mixed plantings. The rich purple flowers provide excellent contrast against lighter-colored blooms and ornamental foliage.

This variety is particularly effective in cottage gardens, English-style borders, cutting gardens, and formal perennial beds. The tall flower spikes serve as excellent background plants and pair beautifully with roses, foxgloves, peonies, daisies, lupines, and ornamental grasses.

King Arthur is also one of the premier cut flower delphiniums, producing long-lasting stems that add elegance and height to fresh floral arrangements.

Growing Information

King Arthur grows best in full sun in cooler climates, though some afternoon shade is beneficial in regions with hot summers. Plants prefer rich, fertile, well-drained soil with consistent moisture throughout the growing season.

Sow seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last expected frost or direct sow in cool conditions. Delphinium seed often germinates best when exposed to cool temperatures. Transplant seedlings carefully, providing adequate spacing to encourage strong air circulation.

Because of their height, mature plants often benefit from staking or support, especially in windy locations. Removing spent flower spikes after the first bloom may encourage a lighter second flowering later in the season.

Regular feeding and consistent watering will help produce the strongest stems and largest flower spikes.