Consolida Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 20th Nov 2023

In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Consolida plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

At a Glance: Consolida

Plant Characteristics: Consolida plants boast tall, spiked flowers that add help to add both vertical interest and vibrant color to gardens. Their presence also helps attract beneficial pollinators.
Ideal Growing Conditions: Thrives in well-drained soil with full to partial sun. Cooler climates are preferable, as plants do not fare well in extreme heat.
General Care: Provide regular watering and give them a light application of fertilizer during the growing season to encourage healthy blooms. Stake taller varieties to prevent stem breakage.
Tips for New Gardeners: Larkspur is relatively easy to grow. Ensure proper spacing, as this will help to prevent mildew, and also watch out for snails and slugs. Deadheading them should lead to a second bloom.

Larkspur: Cultivation & Garden Use

Consolida is a hardy annual that reaches from 30 to 120 cm (1 to 4 feet) in height.

The plants are very upright, and can have spires of blue, white, purple or pink flowers.

They bloom from Summer into the beginning of autumn. Consolida plants are also known by their common names of Larkspur and Annual Delphinium.

Consolida orientalis
Consolida orientalis - Oriental knight's-spur by Miguel.Respenda.

Consolida ambigua
Consolida ambigua by Carl E Lewis.

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Consolida Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Larkspur, Knight's-Spur.
Life Cycle: Hardy annual.
Height: 18 to 40 inches (45 to 100 cm).
Native: Europe, Mediterranean, Central Africa.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 9.
Flowers: Summer and early autumn.
Flower Details: Pink, purple, white, salmon, violet, blue. Branched spike. Singles and doubles.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Feathery.
Sow Outside: Cover seed. Late autumn. Spacing 10 to 24 inches (25 to 60 cm) depending on species size.
Sow Inside: Sow seeds in soil within a peat pot, put in a bag, and chill in the fridge for two weeks. Germination time: two to three weeks in the dark. Temperature 50 to 54°F (10 to 12°C). Start eight to ten weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors following the last frost.
Requirements: Full sunlight. Rich soils. Soil pH 6 to 8. Use manure. Stake tall plants. Deadhead. Supply two feeds during vegetative growth period.
Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup and Crowfoot).
Closely Related Species: Aconite; Columbine; Meadow Rue; False Hellebore; Christmas Rose; Clematis Plants; and Black Cumin.
Miscellaneous: A confusing genus. Members of the Consolida genus differ from Delphinium in their flower structure, which is looser and more open; and in their fruits. However many members are commonly given both the Consolida and Delphinium prefixes.

How to Grow Larkspur and other Consolida in your Garden

Larkspur can be grown outside from seed. The seed should be sown outside before the last frost of spring or in the autumn. Once the seed is laid down it should be lightly covered.

Sow seeds into a sunny area of the garden that has a rich organic soil.

If planning to grow Consolida seedlings indoors then the seeds should first be prepared by placing them (within soil) in a black bag, then putting them in the fridge for two weeks.

Seeds should then be sown out in peat pots and grown in the dark at a temperature of 10 to 12 Celsius (50 to 54°F). They normally take about two or three weeks to germinate.

Seedlings should then be transplanted following the last frost of spring at a spacing of 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24 inches).

Caring for Larkspur in the Garden

Larkspur (Consolida) is pretty easy to care for: they should be staked; require a light fertilizing a couple of times over their growing season; and should be dead-headed to prevent them from setting seed and taking over the garden.

Common Questions

How many members does the Consolida genus have?

The Consolida genus comprises around 40-60 species. These annual flowering plants are often known as Larkspurs.

Do members of Consolida make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Yes, Consolida are popular in gardens for their showy spikes of flowers and are excellent for borders, wildflower meadows, and cutting gardens.

Which Consolida species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

The most frequently grown species is Consolida ajacis (Annual Larkspur), known for its stunning, tall flower spikes.

Are members of the Consolida plant genus fragrant?

No, members of the Consolida genus are not typically fragrant. They are valued more for their ornamental flower spikes.

What is the perfect location to grow Consolida?

Consolida plants prefer full sun with well-drained soil. They do best in cooler climates and can tolerate dry conditions once established.

Is Consolida invasive in the USA?

Presently, Consolida is not listed as invasive in the USA, but it can self-seed prolifically under ideal conditions.

How do I remove Consolida plants from my garden?

Removing Consolida involves hand-pulling or hoeing the plants before they set seed. Regular monitoring will help control spread.

Summary

The Consolida genus, also known as larkspur, belongs to the Ranunculaceae family and is native to Eurasia. These annual plants are known for their tall, elegant spires of colorful, star-shaped flowers that bloom in summer.

To cultivate Consolida, plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil. They can be grown from seeds sown in spring or fall. Regular watering is needed, but they are relatively drought-tolerant once established. Given their height, they are often used in the back of borders or in cut flower gardens.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Consolida plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Anemone hupehensis and Nigella plants.

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