Delphinium ‘Blue Bird’ – One of the Pacific Giant Hybrids with incredibly tall spires of mid-blue blooms with a contrasting white bee in early summer. Remove the spent flower spikes in order to promote more blooms in late summer. These short-lived perennials (2-3 years) prefer rich, well-drained soils and part to full sun. Grows 5′ high by 18-24″ wide. Hardy to zone 3.

Delphinium nudicale ‘Fox’ – Scarlet Larkspur is native from southern Oregon to northern California and features unusual reddish-orange blooms in midsummer, borne over glossy bright green foliage. When grown from seed, it flowers in its first year. Other cultivars include ‘Laurin’ (compact red) and ‘Redcap’ (scarlet blooms). Grows 10-24″ high by 8″ wide. Zone 5.

Delphinium grandiflorum ‘Summer Blues’ – A compact Delphinium, often used as an annual as it is quite short-lived. It has lacy, fern-like foliage that grows in a mounded compact form with sky blue flowers borne just above it from early summer into autumn. Works well as an accent in annual beds or mixed containers. Grows 10-12″ high by 12″ wide. Hardy to zone 3.

Consolida ajacis ‘Giant Imperial’ (syn. Delphinium consolida) – This is a true annual Delphinium or Larkspur which is grown from seed and features tall spires of purple, pink, blue, rose or white flowers from late spring into summer. It has finely cut fern-like foliage and is a good choice for the cut flower garden. Needs regular watering in the heat. Grows 3-4′ high and 9-14″ wide.

Delphinium ‘Black Knight’ – Another of the Pacific Giant Hybrids with very dark, deep velvet purple flowers from June to July, with a repeat bloom in late summer when deadheaded. Delphinium prefers rich soils (add well-rotted manure or compost), part to full sun, and be sure to sprinkle a little pet friendly slug bait around them in spring. Grows 4-6′ high and 18-24″ wide. Zone 3.