Hansen’s Larkspur

Hansen’s Larkspur, also called Eldorado Larkspur, is a perennial herbaceous species endemic to California. Reaching between 2-6 feet tall when blooming, and foliage extending ~1 foot from its base. Larkspurs send up a floral stalk in spring, and bloom profusely in sequence up the stem. Hansen’s Larkspur is variable in color, from white to pink to pale purple to deep indigo. Adored by hummingbirds, native bees, butterflies, and host to four species of moths.

In the garden, plant in sunny areas with excellent soil drainage, or in containers. Be sure to keep the planting area free from weeds, as Larkspurs will go completely dormant after blooming. Appreciate the blooms while they last, this species takes over a year to grow from seed!

Lifeform: Perennial

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade

Water: Dry, Light, Moderate

Soil: Clay, Loam, Rocky, Sand

Other: Attracts Bees, Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Drought Tolerant

Ecological Value	Likely host to Verbena Bud Moth, Spotted Straw Sun Moth, Bilobed Looper, Celery Leaftier. Nectar resource for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. California endemic.
Container	1-Gal, D-16
Ethnobotanical Uses	Deep blue and purple Delphinium flowers are used for clothing dye and painting.
Distribution	Endemic to California, found in mountains, valleys, and desert from the southern Cascade Range to the Mojave Desert.
Elevation	10" – 11596"
Communities	Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest
Habitat	Open places