How to Care for Larkspur: Staking, Feeding, and Deadheading

Overview

Larkspur adds tall, stately spikes in purple, blue, rose, pink, white all summer. Great as backdrops, along walls/fences. Compact varieties make colorful borders. Cut fresh or dry for winter bouquets.

Step-by-Step Care

Step 1: Stake Tall Stems

Some reach 5+ feet. Heavy blooms cause leaning/breaking. Insert wooden stake 3 inches from stem; tie loosely with soft twine or pantyhose strip.

Step 2: Water and Fertilize

Water twice weekly (more in dry spells). All-purpose fertilizer every other week. Switch to high-potassium fertilizer just before bloom. Follow label rates.

Step 3: Cut and Deadhead

Cut stems for arrangements just before full bloom—pruning encourages more flowers. Deadhead spent blossoms: clip stem below faded flower or pinch off.

Step 4: Watch for Mildew

Look for white/black spots, powdery/stringy substance on leaves. Advanced: distorted, brown/yellow leaves dropping. Treat immediately with fungicide per label. Prevent with good air circulation and adequate sunlight.