How to Grow Blue Shades
Wikimedia Commons
Blue Shades
Consolida ajacis 'Blue Shades'
flowerBlue Shades is a cultivar of larkspur (also called annual delphinium) known for its elegant spire-shaped flower clusters in shades of blue and purple. These tall, graceful flowers are popular in cottage gardens and as cut flowers, blooming prolifically throughout the growing season. The feathery foliage adds an airy texture to garden beds.
When should you plant Blue Shades in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Blue Shades timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Blue Shades
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
First Blue Shades blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Blue Shades dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives best in zones 2-8; prefers cooler climates and may struggle in hot, humid southern regions
Sign up free to see if Blue Shades grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Blue Shades timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with delicate cotyledons and first true leaves appearing within 10-14 days. Plants are fragile and small at this stage.
Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Provide bright light (grow lights help). Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have 2-3 true leaves. Handle gently.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlants develop sturdy stems and feathery, finely-divided foliage. Growth is rapid during cool, moist spring weather. Plants are bushy and establishing a strong root system.
Support with stakes or cages if growing tall varieties. Pinch tops early (before 12 inches tall) to encourage bushier growth and more flower spikes. Water regularly. Fertilize monthly with balanced fertilizer.
Bud Formation & Flowering
4-6 weeksDense flower spikes form at stem tips and side branches. Individual tiny flowers along the spike begin to open from bottom to top, creating a beautiful gradient of color.
Stake tall varieties securely to prevent wind damage. Deadhead spent flowers below the lowest open bloom to encourage continued flowering. Water deeply during hot spells. Apply mulch to keep roots cool.
Peak Bloom & Repeat Flowering
6-8 weeksMultiple flower spikes bloom simultaneously in shades of blue and purple. With deadheading, plants continue to produce new flower stems for weeks.
Deadhead aggressively and regularly (every 2-3 days) to prevent seed set and extend blooming. Cut stems for arrangements to encourage more flowers. Continue watering and fertilizing.
Seed Set & End of Season
4+ weeksIf flowers are not deadheaded, seed pods develop along the spike. Plants naturally decline as temperatures rise or frost approaches in fall.
Allow final flowers to remain if you want to collect seeds. Collect seed pods when they turn brown and papery but before they split. Cut plants to ground level after frost kills foliage.
Common Pests
-
and
Remove by hand at night; use beer traps or copper barriers. Encourage ground beetles and toads. Apply diatomaceous earth around base of plants.
-
Spray foliage with water to increase humidity. Use insecticidal soap if infestations are severe. Avoid overhead watering which promotes disease.
-
Spray with strong water stream or insecticidal soap. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings. Neem oil as a last resort.
-
Ensure good air circulation with proper spacing. Avoid wetting foliage. Apply sulfur fungicide if severe. Remove affected leaves.
Uses
Not Edible
CulinaryBlue Shades larkspur is toxic and should never be ingested by humans or most animals. All parts of the plant contain toxic alkaloids. Keep away from children and pets. [source]
Cut Flowers & Floral Design
CraftBlue Shades is highly prized by florists and gardeners for fresh and dried cut arrangements. The tall spikes add vertical interest and the various shades of blue complement many color palettes. [source]
Dried Flower & Seed Pods
CraftFlowers dry beautifully when hung upside down in a dark, airy location. The attractive seed pods can also be dried and used in arrangements or craft projects. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeBlue Shades larkspur attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to the garden with its abundant nectar-rich flowers. It provides important early-season forage. [source]
Cottage Garden & Ornamental Border
HouseholdBlue Shades is a classic cottage garden plant, perfect for traditional borders, cutting gardens, and mixed perennial beds. It adds romantic, old-fashioned charm with its tall spikes. [source]
Harvest Tips
Cut stems in early morning when flowers are fully hydrated. Cut just above a leaf node to encourage branching. Remove lower leaves that would sit in water. Change water every 2-3 days. Blue Shades make excellent long-lasting cut flowers (7-10 days in a vase). For seed collection, allow pods to mature fully, turn brown, and dry on the plant; harvest before pods naturally split.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Larkspur seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 5 years, sometimes producing volunteer seedlings the following year even if you don't deliberately replant.
- 🌱 The name 'larkspur' refers to the distinctive nectar spur that extends backward from each flower, resembling the long spur on a lark's heel.
- 🌱 Blue Shades and other delphiniums have been used historically to create blue dyes for textiles, though modern synthetic dyes have largely replaced this traditional use.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Blue Shades planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Blue Shades seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Blue Shades timeline →