Larkspur is a **Hardy Annual**.

It is the annual cousin of the Delphinium. It completes its life cycle in one season.

The Cold Lover: Larkspur hates heat! It germinates best in cool conditions (autumn or early spring). If you try to sow it in a hot greenhouse in May, it will likely fail. It establishes best when the soil is still cool.

Larkspur seeds can be dormant. To wake them up, pop the packet in your **fridge freezer** for 7 days before sowing. This "cold shock" mimics winter and triggers germination.

Germination:
Sow directly outdoors in Autumn (Sept) or early Spring (March). Scatter seeds onto raked soil and cover lightly. They need darkness to germinate. Because they have a taproot, they dislike being transplanted, so direct sowing is best.

Where to Sow:
They love **full sun** and well-drained, fertile soil. They are hungry plants, so dig in some compost before sowing.

Care While Growing:
Support: These plants grow tall (90cm). In a windy garden, put some netting or twine supports in place when the plants are small so they can grow up through it.

The greenish-white of 'Limelight' makes other colours sing. Try these combinations:

• 🌹 Sweet Pea 'Winston Churchill': The Modern Classic. The deep crimson-red of the Sweet Pea looks incredibly vibrant next to the zesty lime of the Larkspur. A sophisticated twist on red and green.
• 🌸 Cosmos 'Dazzler': The Hot Border. Mix the vertical lime spikes of Larkspur with the airy, magenta-red daisies of Cosmos for a high-energy display that lasts all summer.

Sow outdoors in autumn or spring. Flowers mid-summer.