Little Larkspur: A Prairie Gem for Your Native Garden
If you’re looking to add a touch of wild prairie magic to your garden, little larkspur (Delphinium bicolor) might just be the perfect native perennial for you. This charming wildflower brings the beauty of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain foothills right to your backyard, complete with stunning blue-purple blooms that’ll have pollinators lining up at your garden gate.
What Makes Little Larkspur Special?
Little larkspur is a true North American native, calling both Canada and the lower 48 states home. As a perennial forb – that’s gardener-speak for a non-woody herbaceous plant – it comes back year after year to grace your garden with its presence. Unlike some of its showier delphinium cousins, this prairie native has adapted to tough conditions, making it a fantastic choice for gardeners who want beauty without the high-maintenance drama.
Where Does Little Larkspur Call Home?
This resilient wildflower naturally grows across an impressive range of northern and western regions, including Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. It’s particularly fond of prairie grasslands and open woodlands where it can soak up plenty of sunshine.
Garden Appeal: Why You’ll Fall in Love
Little larkspur brings several delightful features to your landscape:
- Gorgeous blue to purple flowers with distinctive spurs that bloom in late spring to early summer
- Deeply lobed, palmate leaves that add interesting texture even when not in bloom
- Tall, elegant flower spikes that create vertical interest in garden beds
- A delicate, airy appearance that plays well with other prairie natives
Perfect Garden Partnerships
Little larkspur shines brightest in native plant gardens, wildflower meadows, and prairie restorations. It’s an excellent choice for cottage gardens with a naturalized feel, and it works beautifully in xeriscaping projects where water conservation is key. Consider pairing it with other prairie natives like purple coneflower, wild bergamot, or little bluestem grass for an authentic grassland look.
Pollinator Paradise
Here’s where little larkspur really earns its keep – it’s a pollinator magnet! The tubular flowers with their prominent spurs are perfectly designed for long-tongued bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. If you’re working to create habitat for native pollinators, this plant deserves a spot on your must-have list.
Growing Little Larkspur Successfully
Hardiness: Little larkspur thrives in USDA zones 3-7, making it suitable for most northern and mountain regions.
Light and Soil: This prairie native prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils. It’s remarkably drought-tolerant once established, though it appreciates some moisture during its growing season.
Planting Tips:
- Start from seed in spring – little larkspur often benefits from cold stratification
- Scatter seeds in fall for natural winter stratification
- Choose a location with good drainage to prevent root rot
- Be patient – like many native perennials, it may take a season or two to really get established
Care and Maintenance: Once established, little larkspur is refreshingly low-maintenance. It doesn’t typically require fertilization (native soils suit it just fine), and its drought tolerance means less watering for you. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage additional blooms, but many gardeners prefer to let the seeds develop to feed birds and ensure natural reseeding.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Like all delphiniums, little larkspur contains alkaloids that make it toxic if ingested, so it’s not the best choice for areas where pets or small children might be tempted to nibble. Additionally, while it’s a wonderful addition to naturalized areas, it may not provide the constant color that some formal garden designs require.
The Bottom Line
Little larkspur is a fantastic choice for gardeners who love native plants, want to support pollinators, and appreciate low-maintenance beauty. Its prairie heritage makes it tough and adaptable, while its elegant flowers add a touch of wild sophistication to any landscape. If you’re ready to embrace a little prairie magic in your garden, little larkspur is waiting to wow you with its understated charm and ecological benefits.
