Delphinium plant profile
Delphinium elatum
A perennial flower for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Delphinium
Delphinium is a tall, short-lived perennial (NC State: lifespan 3 to 5 years) set out as a plant in spring. Plant in spring once the soil is workable in a sunny, sheltered, well-drained spot; it needs staking and benefits from cool, moist summers, with some afternoon shade in the southernmost zones.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Delphinium in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 8 to 8.5
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 12 to 36 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 3a to 7bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: crown rot, leaf spot.
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Delphinium elatum (Bee Delphinium, Delphinium)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Larkspur (Delphinium species) entry
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.