Delphinium hesperium, Western Larkspur

Delphinium hesperium, Western Larkspur

This perennial herb has vivid purple blooms on stems up to 3 ft. tall that grow from a base of deeply lobed leaves, characteristic of the buttercup family. The blossoms may be sparse or abundant, as much as 100 per stem in some cases. 

Western larkspur enjoys full sun to part-shade. Although it may be found blooming in grasslands in Northern California May through July, we've discovered in our coastal garden that it can bloom through August if planted in a container. Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and caterpillars enjoy this plant (as do slugs, starts must be protected).