Little Larkspur: Montana’s Elusive Native Wildflower
If you’re a native plant enthusiast always on the hunt for something truly special, little larkspur (Delphinium bicolor calcicola) might just pique your interest. This Montana native is one of those plants that keeps botanists and gardeners alike scratching their heads – not because it’s difficult to identify, but because there’s surprisingly little information available about this particular variety of the delphinium family.
What Makes Little Larkspur Special
Little larkspur is a perennial forb, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s a non-woody flowering plant that comes back year after year. As a member of the delphinium family, you can expect it to share some of the classic characteristics that make these plants so beloved – likely featuring those signature spurred flowers that gave the group its larkspur common name.
What sets this particular variety apart is its native heritage. Unlike many of the showy garden delphiniums that hail from other continents, little larkspur is authentically American, calling the great state of Montana home.
Where You’ll Find It Growing Wild
Little larkspur has a pretty exclusive address – it’s native to Montana and appears to be found primarily within this single state. This limited geographic distribution makes it something of a botanical treasure, though it also means you’re unlikely to stumble across it in your local garden center.
Should You Grow Little Larkspur?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky. While little larkspur sounds like it could be a fantastic addition to a native Montana garden, there are a few important considerations:
- Limited availability: This isn’t a plant you’ll find at your typical nursery
- Conservation status: While not officially listed as rare, its limited distribution suggests it may be uncommon
- Growing information: Specific care requirements for this variety are not well-documented
If You’re Determined to Try It
Should you decide you absolutely must have little larkspur in your garden, here’s what we can reasonably assume based on its Montana origins and delphinium heritage:
- Climate needs: Likely cold-hardy and suited to Montana’s climate zones
- Soil preferences: Probably prefers well-draining soil, possibly with some alkaline tolerance given its native range
- Garden style: Best suited for naturalistic or native plant gardens rather than formal landscapes
- Sourcing: If you can find seeds or plants, ensure they’re from responsible, ethical sources
A Word of Caution
Given the limited information available about little larkspur and its restricted native range, it’s worth approaching this plant with extra care. If you’re interested in growing it, consider reaching out to native plant societies in Montana or botanical gardens that specialize in regional flora for guidance.
Alternative Options
If little larkspur proves too elusive, consider other native Montana wildflowers that might scratch the same itch. Plants like wild bergamot, purple prairie clover, or blanket flower can provide similar native appeal with much more readily available growing information and plant sources.
Sometimes the most special plants are the ones that remain a little mysterious. Little larkspur may be one of those botanical enigmas that’s best appreciated in its natural Montana habitat, reminding us that not every beautiful native plant needs to make the jump to our garden beds.
