Rocket Larkspur (Rocket or Annual Delphinium)
Consolida ambigua. RANUNCULACEAE.
Planting and Growing Rocket Larkspur
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow rocket larkspur in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of rocket larkspur
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for rocket larkspur
- Season of bloom and planting time for rocket larkspur
- When, how deep, and where to plant rocket larkspur
- How to plant rocket larkspur
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of rocket larkspur
- Landscape and container uses of rocket larkspur
- Comments about rocket larkspur and its features
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Growing Rocket Larkspur
Many cultivars of erect, narrow annual herbs, 1–5 ft. (30–150 cm) tall. Smooth, green, fernlike, coarsely divided, deeply toothed leaves, to 4 in. (10 cm) long.
Common cultivars include Consolida ambigua ‘Blue Fountains’, ‘Blue Heaven’, ‘Dwarf Blue Butterfly’, and ‘Pacific Giants’.
See also Larkspur, Delphinium species, many species of biennial and perennial plants with similar appearance and care needs.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Many showy, blue, pink, rose, violet, white, open, 7-petaled flowers, to 1-1/2-in. (38-mm) wide, in tiers along an erect stalk, in spring–early summer, zones 8–10; summer, zones 4–7.
Best Climates
Self-seeding, zones 4–10.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained soil. Fertility: Rich. 7.0–7.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring, zones 4–7; late summer, zones 8–10, in full sun to partial shade, 8–15 in. (20–38 m) apart. Avoid transplanting. Avoid crowding.
Proper Care
Moderate. Keep moist. Fertilize monthly. Stake tall cultivars. Protect from wind. Propagate by seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for beds, borders, fencelines, massed plantings in cottage, formal, shade, woodland gardens. Good for cutting, drying. Pest and disease resistant.