How much sun does Brown's Larkspur need?

Brown's Larkspur grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Brown's Larkspur bloom?

Brown's Larkspur blooms in June, July, and August.

Where is Brown's Larkspur native?

Brown's Larkspur (Delphinium glaucum) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Brown's Larkspur toxic to dogs?

Yes. Brown's Larkspur is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Brown's Larkspur toxic to cats?

Yes. Brown's Larkspur is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Brown's Larkspur toxic to livestock?

Brown's Larkspur is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (severe severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.

What pollinators does Brown's Larkspur attract?

Brown's Larkspur draws bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Is Brown's Larkspur HOA-friendly?

Brown's Larkspur takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Brown's Larkspur

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Delphinium glaucum

Last reviewed: September 2026

Brown's Larkspur is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Native swaps for a yard with pets

Brown's Larkspur is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.

Brown's Larkspur is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats at a severe level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–60" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, hummingbirds

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Southern California Mountains Central Basin and Range North American Deserts Southern Rockies

Tall larkspur is a striking native perennial that produces dramatic spikes of blue to purple flowers on stems that can reach 5 feet tall. This robust wildflower thrives in partial sun with moderate moisture and provides excellent vertical interest in the garden. The plant goes dormant in winter, leaving behind sturdy dried stems.

In an HOA neighborhood

Brown's Larkspur takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Very tall growth can appear wild and unstructured
Dormant season leaves bare stems that look unkempt
Natural wildflower appearance conflicts with formal landscaping

Wildlife value

The tubular flowers are magnets for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds during the long summer blooming period. This native plant provides important nectar resources for pollinators throughout the growing season.

Common questions

How much sun does Brown's Larkspur need?: Brown's Larkspur grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Brown's Larkspur bloom?: Brown's Larkspur blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Brown's Larkspur native?: Brown's Larkspur (Delphinium glaucum) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Brown's Larkspur toxic to dogs?: Yes. Brown's Larkspur is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Brown's Larkspur toxic to cats?: Yes. Brown's Larkspur is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Brown's Larkspur toxic to livestock?: Brown's Larkspur is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (severe severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
What pollinators does Brown's Larkspur attract?: Brown's Larkspur draws bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Is Brown's Larkspur HOA-friendly?: Brown's Larkspur takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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