Larkspur and Cornflower in Cottage Garden

One of the others that can be dealt with in the same way if necessary is the larkspur. Not that the larkspur is a single entity, for there are at least two popular kinds derived from different annual species of delphin­ium. The rocket larkspur is the one that is usually associated with cottage gardening and is derived from Delphinium ajacis. It is skinny with feathery green foliage and tall lean spires of blossom in colours that vary from straightforward blue through mauve and pink to white. Several have been given names and are available individually. The other larkspur is of more recent popularity, and in decorative terms is far superior. Known as the imperial larkspur, modern strains have been derived directly from D. consolida. Typical of the perennial delphinium, these have more substantial spikes of flowers that are excellent for cutting.

Larkspurs prefer an open, sunny situa­tion, but because of their stature benefit from a little shelter from the wind and should in any event be provided with some twiggy support material while the plants are quite young. It is perfectly adequate to sow larkspurs during early spring in order to procure a summer display, but until recent times it was fashionable in the milder parts of the country to sow larkspur during early autumn for an early show.

The same was done with the cornflower, Centaurea cyanus, especially when early flowers were required for cutting. Like lark­spur, the cornflower is a very hardy and amenable character well able to flourish in all but the driest and shadiest of situations. I really like the traditional blue cornflower, but have to admit that some of the mixed strains like ‘Polka Dot’ are really quite charming and would not in any way offend a cottage garden. All have stiff flower stems crowned with colourful ruffs of petals, and tough bluish-green foliage with a mealy bloom. This is absent from the slightly different, but closely related sweet sultan, C. moschatus, in which the foliage is brighter green and more refined. Its flower heads are equally distinctive, appearing quite fluffy and embracing a colour range that extends beyond the blues, whites and pinks of the cornflower to embrace yellow and deep wine as well. Only mixed strains are available from seedsmen, but these are first class, producing long lasting flowers on good strong stems.