Tall larkspur
Delphinium exaltatum
Last reviewed: November 2026
Tall larkspur (Delphinium exaltatum) is a perennial forb native to AL, KY, MD, MN and 6 more states. It blooms in June, July, and August. The flowers draw bumble bees and hummingbirds.
Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Tall larkspur, free in the app.
Tall larkspur is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.
The Pollinator Patch App flags toxic plants so you can choose a native alternative that is not on the ASPCA toxic plant list.
Native swaps for a yard with pets
Tall 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.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
24"–60" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, KY, MD, MN and 6 more states
Pollinators
bumble bees, hummingbirds
Before you buy
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Tall larkspur is an upright perennial forb with deeply divided leaves and a spike of violet-blue flowers held well above the foliage. It grows from rocky wooded slopes and open woodland edges, dying back to the ground each winter and re-emerging in spring.
Growing Tall larkspur
Grow Tall larkspur in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 60 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.
Wildlife value
The tubular flowers draw bumble bees and long-tongued bees, and hummingbirds visit for nectar. All plant parts are toxic if ingested, so its role is ornamental rather than edible or forage.
Common questions
- How much sun does Tall larkspur need?
- Tall larkspur grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Tall larkspur bloom?
- Tall larkspur blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is Tall larkspur native?
- Tall larkspur (Delphinium exaltatum) is native to AL, KY, MD, MN and 6 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- Is Tall larkspur toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Tall 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 Tall larkspur toxic to cats?
- Yes. Tall 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.
- What pollinators does Tall larkspur attract?
- Tall larkspur draws bumble bees and hummingbirds.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Tall larkspur and shows natives not flagged toxic to pets for your ecoregion instead.