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 December
2003
 Phacelia
sericea
November
2003
Campanula
rotundifolia
October
2003
Tulipa
batalanii
September
2003
Allium
oreophilum
August
2003
Verbena
canadensis
July
2003
Pterocephalus
pinardii
June
2003
Campanula
kemulariae
 May
2003
Delphinium
glareosum
April
2003
Anemone
ranunculoides
March
2003
Trillium
nivale
February
2003
Adonis
vernalis
January
2003
Penstemon
davidsonii v menziesii
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Plant
of the Month
May
2003
Delphinium
glareosum
by Iza Goroff
Delphinium
glareosum is a member of the Ranunculaceae, the
Buttercup family, which includes many genera valuable for
rock gardening, e.g. Aconitum, Adonis, Anemone, Anemonopsis,
Aquilegia, Caltha, Clematis, Ranunculus,Thalictrum, and
Trollius. Delphinium is a large genus itself with over 400
species.
Delphinium
glareosum is native to the alpine areas of the
Olympic and the northern Cascade Mountains of Washington
(extending into southern British Columbia), where it is
prominent in the alpine landscape. Its popular name is
Rockslide Larkspur.
Delphinium
glareosum is attractive in both plant and flower,
neater than most Delphinium species. Its horizontal leaves
are each shaped as a semicircle of narrow, round-ended
segments, about 1.5 inches (4 cm). The plant beneath the
inflorence is only about 4 - 6" (10 - 15 cm) tall, although
the total height can range from less than 10" (25 cm) to
more than that, depending on the seed source and culture.
Flower color can vary from dark purple to medium blue
(sepals) with a white center (petals); the flower's diameter
is about 1 1/3" (3+ cm) with a 0.8" spur. Its flowering
period is in mid spring, much earlier than most Delphinium
species.
Delphinium
glareosum grows well in partial sun, planted in a
layer of sand above soil with a gravel mulch. It goes
dormant to a tuberous root in late summer.
Delphinium
glareosum is best propagated from seed, occasionally
available from the North American Rock Garden Society seed
exchange.
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