LARKSPURS, a genus (Delphinium) of annual and perennial herbs of the family Ranunculacece, characterized by palmately lobed or divided leaves and showy racemes or panicles of large irregular flowers. Many of the species, of which there are about 60 in the north tem Aerate zone, are cultivated for ornament, and have developed numerous improved varieties, some of which are double-flowered. The most popular annual species is D. ajacis, which at tains a height of about 18 inches and bears showy blue, pink or violet, sometimes white, flowers throughout the summer. Of the per ennial species. D. formosum, D. grandiflorum and D. hybridum are most popular in America, and have yielded the largest number of horti cultural varieties. They are all natives of Asia, become two to four feet tall, blossom during midsummer and are noted for their beautiful tints of blue, their hardiness and ease of culti vation. If cut down immediately after flower
ing they often blossom a second time before frost. Among the best-known American species are D. menciesii, D. scopulorum and D. nudi caule, which range from the Pacific Coast to the plains region; and D. exaltatum, D. tri corne and D. carohnianum, found most com monly east of the Mississippi. The larkspurs thrive best in• rich, deep, sandy loam well ex posed to the sun. The annuals are propagated from seed, as are many of the perennials, which are also increased by cuttings taken in early spring or from second growth in summer. Established clumps may be divided in fall or spring. Since the seeds are very slow in germinating they are usually, sown in autumn out of doors or in early winter in a green house.