Larkspur Little Rocket Mix

Beauties.

I'm going to sow a few seeds every two weeks if the ground is not frozen in the hope that I can equal these lovely examples. I found the tip on an American website for professional growers. Apparently there can be problems in some areas getting these to germinate and the advice was that they need a period in the cold to stimulate growth. I bought a packet last week and because there are 700 seed in it I think I can feel free to experiment. I had them in between my red hot pokers (kniphofia)and they looked very good but not enough of them. Apparently annuals are named Larkspur and perennials are Delphiniums. I have never had great success in this garden with delphiniums. Staggered planting should give me staggered flowering. Fingers crossed.

Its funny you should say that Larkspur are annuals because I actually prefer them to their sister plant Delphs! I cannot seem to grow Delphs. because they just get eaten by slugs and snails. Good luck with your seed growing, great idea.

I planted my Larkspur as part of a cottage garden mix or summer flower mix bought in a drum from Lidl or Aldi. They flowered the first year and because i was away they self sowed and came up again this year. I had to clear out the bed this year as part of my general tidy up and forgot about leaving them to self sow. I usually leave everything until the spring because I love to see frost on seed heads etc., and the birds get a little extra that way, but this year I'm so far behind with the garden that I am trying to be ruthless and clear it all up ASAP. I know we will probably be away in the Spring and that is when everything will start to run away from me again. I am also going to sow Calendula 'Princess Mixed', Scabious 'Pin Cushion Mix' and Nigella 'Miss Jekyll'. They are all Hardy Annuals and can be sown in Autumn. I am hoping to have a very flowery garden next year.

What a delight Scot.

Nice...plants :)) good luck for next year...Can't get Larkspur seeds here...but I have a lot of success with Delphis...and have one 'Percival' just opening up now...never seen that in November before...:)))

http://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.com/links.html have Percival shown on their website. They have fantastic pics of so many delphiniums and larkspurs that I was drooling. They did have a pearl of wisdom about sowing Delphinium seeds which might be of interest Grandmage.
How to Plant DELPHINIUM Seeds
Sow seeds in cell packs or flats, press into soil and fully cover. Darkness aids germination. Kept at 55° F., germination is in 14-35 days. Comments: Germination rate can be improved (if prior to sowing) the seeds are placed in a ziplock bag with a small amount of moist growing media (or a moist paper towel) and placed into the refigerator for 2 weeks.
Another website I visited said if you can get your seedlings to over 5" before transferring them to the open garden the slugs are less likely to attack them.

I love Delphis, I try and buy a different one each year...:))
Thanks for the Link...Sg

http://www.delphinium-society.co.uk/Membership.htm is well worth a look Crissue. For only 12 Euros you can become a member and receive all the benefit of membership. It includes access to seeds.

Thanks again...:)))