Giant larkspur (Consolida ajacis)

Features and Characteristics

Consolida ajacis, commonly called giant larkspur, is native to the southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. It is a showy annual that grows 2-3’ (less frequently to 4’) tall on stems clad with deeply cut, palmate leaves. Blue flowers (uncommonly pink or white) bloom in showy spike-like racemes from late spring throughout summer in cool northern climates. In the deep South, plants tend to die out from the heat by mid summer. Each flower has a distinctive spur. Plants have escaped gardens and naturalized in many parts of the U. S. Dwarf to tall cultivars in single or double form expand plant flower colors to include various shades of pink, salmon, carmine, white, violet and lavender. Popular mixtures include Dwarf Hyacinth Series, Dwarf Rocket Series and Giant Imperial Series. Leaves, flowers and seeds are toxic if ingested. This larkspur is synonymous with and formerly known as Consolida ambigua. It was once included in the genus Delphinium.

Genus name comes from the Latin word meaning consolidate or make firm in reference to a former herbal use of plant materials to stop bleeding and heal wounds.