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Articles:
The Natives are Friendly
Prairie Larkspur
The Natives are Friendly
Prairie Larkspur
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Finding relief from the hot Texas sun can seem to be quite a task at this time of year. While
nothing is better for cooling off than a quick dip in the river or local swimming hole, one way
that we can bring a little relief is in how we garden. Enjoying an ice cold lemonade on the back
porch is a much better way to spend the afternoon, than pushing a lawn mower, or pulling
weeds. Another way to try and keep things cool is by carefully choosing what color plants that
we landscape with. Colors such as yellows, oranges, and reds have a visual effect of warmth
and heat, while purples and blues have the opposite effect and help to create a cool feeling.
And, of course, in the Texas heat every little bit helps.
There are quite a few wonderful blue flowers that are native to our area, such as blue bonnets,
blue flax, blue-eyed grass, mealy blue sage and more. But one of my favorites is the Prairie
Larkspur (Delphinium virescens).
nothing is better for cooling off than a quick dip in the river or local swimming hole, one way
that we can bring a little relief is in how we garden. Enjoying an ice cold lemonade on the back
porch is a much better way to spend the afternoon, than pushing a lawn mower, or pulling
weeds. Another way to try and keep things cool is by carefully choosing what color plants that
we landscape with. Colors such as yellows, oranges, and reds have a visual effect of warmth
and heat, while purples and blues have the opposite effect and help to create a cool feeling.
And, of course, in the Texas heat every little bit helps.
There are quite a few wonderful blue flowers that are native to our area, such as blue bonnets,
blue flax, blue-eyed grass, mealy blue sage and more. But one of my favorites is the Prairie
Larkspur (Delphinium virescens).
This tough little perennial flower has beautiful blue
flowers that look like fallen flakes of the clear Texas
skies. It typically grows from about one to two feet
tall and blooms from April through July. The Prairie
Larkspur will tolerate just about any well drained
soil and grows naturally in the open woodlands,
pastures and meadows throughout Texas. It
prefers to have at least a half a day of sun to
produce a good show of blooms and is rarely
bothered by pests or disease. Even deer do not
care to bother this pretty blue flower. The common
name for this Texas Native comes from the
similarity of the flower’s spur to that of the spur of
the meadow lark. Our neighbors to the south call
this plant espuela del caballero, which translates
to horseman’s spur. But no matter which name
you give it, the distinctive blue flowers add a touch
of wonder and beauty to any garden.
flowers that look like fallen flakes of the clear Texas
skies. It typically grows from about one to two feet
tall and blooms from April through July. The Prairie
Larkspur will tolerate just about any well drained
soil and grows naturally in the open woodlands,
pastures and meadows throughout Texas. It
prefers to have at least a half a day of sun to
produce a good show of blooms and is rarely
bothered by pests or disease. Even deer do not
care to bother this pretty blue flower. The common
name for this Texas Native comes from the
similarity of the flower’s spur to that of the spur of
the meadow lark. Our neighbors to the south call
this plant espuela del caballero, which translates
to horseman’s spur. But no matter which name
you give it, the distinctive blue flowers add a touch
of wonder and beauty to any garden.
Prairie Larkspur grows a tuber-like root, which is easy to transplant from containers, which are
available at many nurseries that carry native plants. It is also very easy to plant from seed in early
fall. But no matter how you plant it, Prairie Larkspur is definitely and wonderful addition to the
garden and hopefully its sky blue flowers will help to bring you a little bit of relief to the hot Texas
sun this summer.
available at many nurseries that carry native plants. It is also very easy to plant from seed in early
fall. But no matter how you plant it, Prairie Larkspur is definitely and wonderful addition to the
garden and hopefully its sky blue flowers will help to bring you a little bit of relief to the hot Texas
sun this summer.