CULTURE Soil temperature: 55 - 60 degrees fahrenheit Germination lighting: Light required Germination days: 14 days Plant spread: 6 - 10 inches Plant height: 18'' Plant type: Annual Seed Count: 100 Maturation days: 55 days Larkspur is a garden staple for zones 3-7. We recommend you direct seed these into your garden area in the fall. Generally here in zone 7 we plant our fall seeds after Halloween, where they will bloom the following early summer. If in a very mild zone with no freezing weather you will need to cold treat your seeds before sowing (see below). You can also sow these in the spring but they will require a short cold treatment. If starting early in pots place your seeds in a damp paper towel, inside a baggie, and place in your refrigerator (not freezer) for about 3 weeks. When sowing in pots sow on the surface and lightly dust with vermiculite or sand as they need light to germinate. If direct sowing in your garden in the springs mix your seeds with 1 cup of moistened peat or sand. Place in a baggie in your refrigerator for three weeks and then direct sow you mix into your garden. Do not cover these seeds as they will need light to germinate. Usually spring sown larkspur will not flower the first year. Larkspur are part of the Delphinium family and like other full flower head species they will need to be supported. Personally in our gardens we don't like the look of trellis net so we will plant these in spots using round metal flower support rings like you see for peonies. Also please note that Larkspur, and their seeds, are mildly toxic, so keep them away from pets that like to eat flowers or small children.