When does Carolina larkspur bloom?

Carolina larkspur typically flowers from May through July, producing tall spikes of blue to purplish flowers above finely divided foliage.

What pollinators visit Carolina larkspur?

Bees and butterflies are the main visitors, drawn to the nectar in its spurred blue flowers during the spring and early summer bloom period.

What growing conditions does Carolina larkspur prefer?

It grows best in full sun with dry to moderately moist, well drained soil, often found in prairies, glades, and open rocky ground.

Does Carolina larkspur come back every year?

Yes, it is a perennial forb that dies back after seed set and regrows from its root each spring.

Is Carolina Larkspur toxic to dogs?

Yes. Carolina 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 Carolina Larkspur toxic to cats?

Yes. Carolina 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 Carolina Larkspur HOA-friendly?

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

Carolina Larkspur

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Delphinium carolinianum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Carolina larkspur is a slender prairie and glade forb that blooms May through July with spikes of blue flowers. It thrives in full sun and well drained soil with low water needs.

Carolina Larkspur (Delphinium carolinianum) — Photo: (c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sam Kieschnick

Carolina 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) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

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

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–36" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, AR, CO, FL and 18 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

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Carolina larkspur is a native wildflower that produces tall spikes of blue to purple flowers from May through July. This drought-tolerant perennial grows 1-3 feet tall and dies back to the ground each winter, returning reliably each spring.

Growing Carolina Larkspur

Grow Carolina Larkspur in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 6 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

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

Works well in: backyard only.

Looks weedy when dormant
Wild appearance may not meet formal standards
All parts of plant are toxic

Wildlife value

The tubular flowers are especially attractive to bees and butterflies during the late spring and early summer blooming period.

Common questions

When does Carolina larkspur bloom?: Carolina larkspur typically flowers from May through July, producing tall spikes of blue to purplish flowers above finely divided foliage.
What pollinators visit Carolina larkspur?: Bees and butterflies are the main visitors, drawn to the nectar in its spurred blue flowers during the spring and early summer bloom period.
What growing conditions does Carolina larkspur prefer?: It grows best in full sun with dry to moderately moist, well drained soil, often found in prairies, glades, and open rocky ground.
Does Carolina larkspur come back every year?: Yes, it is a perennial forb that dies back after seed set and regrows from its root each spring.
Is Carolina Larkspur toxic to dogs?: Yes. Carolina 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 Carolina Larkspur toxic to cats?: Yes. Carolina 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 Carolina Larkspur HOA-friendly?: Carolina Larkspur takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

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.

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