Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Gentian Blue Larkspur

Among the new flowers I grew this year,
Gentian Blue Larkspur, Delphinium chinensis is definitely a "Keeper!"


I have long been a fan of Larkspur, but this one has the most wonderful blue color! The flowers may be a bit larger than regular Larkspur, and more individually spaced, but the overall plant height is shorter....only to about 12 inches. Mine were grown from winter-sown seed.




Shown here with low growing orange Cosmos, which turned out to be a nice combination. The flowers look a lighter blue here, due to stronger light. In this photo you can also better see the 'spurs' (which give the flower the second part of it's name) and some flower buds on the right. The foliage is delicate and fern-like. Overall, a beautiful plant, which will have a home in my garden next year.... and beyond!

15 comments:

growingagardenindavis said...

Those larkspur are just lovely...and I really like them with the cosmos...and I don't even like orange flowers! This combo makes me almost want to make an exception and plant some next year!

Priscilla George said...

That is a true blue. There aren't many plants that are true blue. I have been thinking of lackspurs too and after seeing this I want them even more. They look gorgeous against the bright orange. Wonderful choice of color placement.

MyLifeWithTrent said...

Hi, I just came across your blog- I love it, and will visit often. I'm in Idaho too. :o)

Catherine said...

I am a big fan of Larkspur also..they come in such beautiful shades of true blue!! Yours are beautiful!! Your hollyhocks in earlier post are pretty also, My hollyhocks didn't do well this year!
Enjoy your day!
Cat

Melissa said...

What a lovely color combination - I know how vivid the cosmos are in person - a brilliant contrast, I must say.

Catherine said...

I looked every day in October for your first "showing", but forgot yesterday. I'm sorry! The combination is simply divine, of course.

kris said...

How pretty - I've grown these before but haven't had good luck with them making it through the winter. The color is so deep - and I love it with the orange cosmos. Very nice.

OldRoses said...

I've had terrible luck germinating direct sown larkspur and was considering wintersowing it. Thanks for sharing your great results. I'll definitely be wintersowing it now.

Ki said...

That's a very vivid blue! Such a wonderful color. Blue and orange are complementary colors (art theory) so they enhance each other making the blue even more intense. Maybe that's why you like the color combination of the larkspur and the cosmos. Other complements are purple/yellow, red/green.

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

That is the most beautiful blue I have ever seen, gorgeous and with the orange cosmo, just beautiful. It is a difficult color to photograph as well, good work.

O.I.M said...

that blue-orange combo is stunning.
Irena

Gina said...

wow! those are beautiful! i do love the combination with the orange cosmos, too. I think I may add these to my list of things to try for my first shot at winter sowing I'm planning.

Kylee Baumle said...

You know, my larkspur that I winter-sowed grew and bloomed and then promptly disappeared at the end of August or thereabouts. :-( I think I'll try them again though.

The blue on yours looks and sounds like it may be similar to my lobelia I've had blooming for the last couple of months. It's so deep blue it almost hurts your eyes to look at it.

Mary said...

Larkspurs and Delphiniums are my all-time favorite flowers. That blue is to die for.... :-)

Diana LaMarre said...

That is one of the nicest blue colors I've seen. It looks super with the orange.

I also like nasturtiums. I had the trailing variety two years ago.