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
Synonyms
Delphinium consolida
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- 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
Diseases
May be susceptible to Powdery mildews
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.