Growing Larkspur from Seed

 

Actually growing larkspur plants provides tall, early-season color in the spring landscape. Once you have learned how to grow these wonderful flowers, you will likely want to include them in the garden year after year. Actually deciding when to plant larkspur flowers will really depend on your location. Once the plants are established, the plant care is simple and basic. Learning how to grow larkspur flowers is very easy if you are somewhat familiar with local weather patterns, although, of course, there is no really guarantee that the weather will cooperate with your gardening schedule.

How to Grow Larkspur Plants

The larkspur plants can be grown from seeds, although planting the larkspur seeds can be a little bit challenging. When planting the larkspur plant seeds, they actually must have a cold period before germination. This can be accomplished before planting the larkspur seeds, after planting the larkspur seeds in peat pots, or after sowing the larkspur seeds directly in the flower bed.   

One of the most reliable methods of chilling the larkspur seeds before planting can be done in the refrigerator. Chill the protected larkspur seeds for about 2 weeks prior to planting. Place the larkspur seeds in a zip lock sandwich bag and also include some damp perlite to provide moisture. Planting the larkspur seeds in peat pots or any other plant-able containers will also work. If there is a building or basement or cold room where temperatures will remain between forty to fifty degrees Fahrenheit, plant them in moist soil and chill them there for about 2 weeks. Keep in mind that the larkspur plant seeds often will not germinate at temps above sixty-five degree Fahrenheit. Actually learning when to plant the larkspur seeds that have been chilled require knowing when the first frost date occurs in your area. The planting of the larkspur seeds should be done early enough before frost for them to begin developing a root system to hold them over through winter. After they have germinated, when the seedlings in peat pots have about 2 sets of true leaves, they can be easily moved into the garden or a permanent container. The growing larkspur flowers do not actually like to be moved, so plant the larkspur seeds into their permanent location. Spring planting of larkspur seeds can be done, but the flowers may not actually reach their full potential.

Larkspur Plant Care

The larkspur plant care includes thinning the sprouting seedlings about ten to twelve inches apart so that each of the new growing larkspur can have enough room to grow and develop its own root system. Staking the tall larkspur plants is another aspect of larkspur plant care. You need to provide support when they are young, with a stake that can accommodate the potential six to eight foot growth. The larkspur plants will also require occasional watering during periods of drought. Growing larkspur plants centered in containers can actually be part of an eye-catching display. Make sure you use containers that won’t topple under the weight and height of the growing larkspur plants. The Larkspur plants in the garden will often self-seed and can provide more additional larkspur plants for the following year.