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Annual Biennial

Consolida regalis

branching larkspur

Upright, hairy, well-branched annual about 60cm tall, with ferny, palmate mid-green leaves, and loose spikes of darkest blue to purplish flowers from late spring through summer

Other common names
forking larkspur
king's consound
see moreknight's spur
wild larkspur
Synonyms
Delphinium consolida

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Sand
Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Blue Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
All parts, including the seed, are harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus

Consolida are upright annuals with deeply pinnately or palmately dissected leaves, and racemes or panicles of small, spurred, delphium-like flowers in summer

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Europe, Caucasia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun; for cut flowers, cut when only the lowermost buds are open

Propagation

Propagate by seed: sow in early autumn and prick out in early spring, sow under cover in early spring, or sow outside in late spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Bedding
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews

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