Choose Sublime Mix for spires of densely packed double flowers in a range of colours including pink, blue, purple, lilac, cream, and magenta on long stems. They give you a great show in the garden or vase and can be dried. Sow spring or autumn, flowering July to September. Height 90-120cm (100 seeds)
SOW: in March-May where they are to flower. Can be sown August/September and overwintered. Germination takes 3-4 weeks. You can also start these in seed trays – instructions are below
GROW: once growing the plants will need spacing of 40-50cm and as they are tall, they may need support. They like most garden soils in either sun or part shade. Deadhead back to small flowering side hoots to encourage more blooms
ENJOY: pick Larkspur first thing & remove most leaves, stand in deep water for a few hours before arranging. Lasts 10 days in a vase.
CAUTION: harmful if eaten
SOWING IN SEED TRAYS: to help germination in spring you can use small seed trays and surface sow than lightly cover with Vermiculite. Place the seed tray in a polythene bag and pop in the fridge for 3 weeks then place them in a warm spot out of direct sunlight to germinate (15-18°C). Transplant seedlings and pot on as needed until you can harden them off to plant out in May. In the autumn (Sept-Dec) you pop the seed trays without bags somewhere dry and frost free (garage or shed). In the spring when you see green shoots appearing, water and keep in a bright frost-free place until danger of frost has passed, harden off and plant out.