DELPHINIUM 85 



DEAD-MEN'S-BELLS. See DIGITALIS. 



DELPHINIUM Larkspur or Rocket (from Gr. delphin, a 

 dolphin, from the spur of the flower being likened 

 to a dolphin). Nat. Ord. Ranunculacece. 



The annual Larkspurs rank among the beauties 

 of the summer garden, their gaiety for their size 

 being unrivalled, while their variety of colouring, 

 hardiness, and simple culture, and their usefulness 

 as cut flowers, render them great acquisitions. 



They are not so tall or as stately as their well- 

 known perennial cousins, but are by no means 

 meagre in growth, some species reaching 3 or 4 ft. 

 in height, while others again are dwarf. They 

 flower from the end of June till the end of 

 September, according to the time of sowing. 



D. Aja'cis, or Rock Larkspur, grows about 18 ins. 

 high in erect spikes of pink flowers. This 

 is one of the original ancestors from which 

 the numerous garden forms have sprung. 

 Switzerland, 1573. 



D. Aja'cis mi'nus, or Lesser Larkspur, is about 2 ft. 

 high, having double flowers on a single spike. 

 The colours of the garden varieties are white, 

 flesh-colour, pink, mauve, violet, pale violet, 

 blue, blue- grey, chestnut, and white, with 

 many different coloured stripes. 



D. Aja'cis hyacinthiflo'rum, or Hyacinth-flowered 

 Larkspur, is a dwarf Larkspur. Flowers similar 

 to the above, but the spikes taper more and 

 are further apart. 



