Thank you for the info on larkspur toxicity. I'm growing it in a container for the first time, planted it last fall and it's about to flower. Growing it for the hummingbirds.
Good to know. I never think about toxicity but am planning on adopting a new dog now that my beloved pup is gone. I have check all my houseplants and all the things I plan on sowing this fall. Thanks for the video! ❤
Hi Bobbi, I get your feeling. I had the same feeling when I started growing foxgloves but I was afraid of keeping toxic plants around my home. It’s fully residential area and even if we are responsible enough to teach our kids if neighbor kids or pets eats it, it will be hard. So I ripped all 10 to 12 healthy plants. I still feel bad about that day but at least I feel safe. I think if there is no nearby residents should be ok. I love both delphinium and larkspur but afraid of growing them due to the toxicity 😊
Hi Udhaya! That was a good decision on your part! It’s hard not to be able to grow some of these beautiful cottage flowers but sometimes the wise thing to do. 🤗
Good to know. I received larkspur seed in a seed swap. I don’t think I’ll plant them with my dogs who like to take a taste of most things. Thank you so much
Wow !!! Danielle grows beautiful larkspur every year and I've never heard her mention that , hmmm ? Thanks for info, because I love blue and was thinking about sowing that in the fall 🤔
Hi Lorraine! It might be good for you to do some research concerning Larkspur and that will help you decide whether or not you want to grow it. After doing research on my own and confirming with a trusted grower, I am convinced of the toxicity of Larkspur. Having said that, there are many poisonous plants but Larkspur does seem to be pretty high on the list (sadly!)
I really LOVE the look of so many toxic plants (larkspur, fox glove, delphinium etc.) but, have chose not to plant it. Last year, my daughter (3 y/o then) saw her older siblings eat wild violets. She started to pick and eat violets. And then, other things came into bloom that had purple flowers. She ate some. She is fine! But, I realized I can't grow toxic plants. We have also had to pull native and invasive toxic plants around our property (which is an uphill battle). I don't know if my opinion will change, but as long as there are children living at and visiting our property, I do not plan to grow anything I know to be toxic.
Thank you Rachel for your comment! I felt it was a topic that should be shared. As for my part, I could not in good conscience put Larkspur in a bouquet for someone knowing how highly toxic it is. I’m glad your daughter is ok. It’s definitely hard to monitor all the things our little ones do. Sounds like you’re doing a great job keeping them safe in your garden! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
These grew as volunteers lol not sure how they made it here but now it's going on year 2. I just found out they were toxic also. They are so pretty though. If we grow and edible plant in the same pot does that edible become toxic also?
Hi there! Larkspur is notorious for seeding itself all over the place! I don’t have any knowledge as to whether the plant contaminates the soil, I just know that all parts of Larkspur is toxic. I personally wouldn’t want to eat an edible that is in the same container as Larkspur. Probably better to be safe than sorry as the saying goes!
Hi Kate! Yes, it is very disappointing to know that all parts of Larkspur is toxic. However, it is most toxic in the new growth. The dried state is less toxic. I still have it in the some areas of the garden and use it for drying only and I don’t use it in any dried bouquets I give away. If you have cats or dogs that would possibly eat your dried flowers, you might consider staying away from it. All the research I have found has the same information. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news :(
Larkspur... 2mg/kg, and not for all the species. Aconitum is something much more toxic. Don't throw beautiful flowers, just because they can be toxic, little fence can improve safety.
Thanks for your comment and thoughts on this matter. As a cattle farmer I have to be mindful of what and where I grow plants. I have also chosen to not add Larkspur to my donated floral bouquets. Larkspur self seeds itself in more places than just where it has been planted. The purpose of this video was to make gardeners aware of the toxicity of certain plants.
We are building our house and I found a beautiful flower in the hard dry clay by the house. It hasn't received any watering from me and it's been dryer then normal here. Well it's a larkspur. I have no idea how it got here, maybe it's seed was already here but came up when we moved the earth around when building. Anyway I have touched this plant several times, sniff the flowers and now I have collected seeds from it by hand. I've had no problems with it. But I grow a lot of things that can make you sick or kill. All the other plants that are "toxic" in my garden are if ingested or eating raw. Cassava, larger yam, lesser yam are just a few that I have. Rhubarb is a great example.
Yes, many plants are poisonous if ingested. I felt it was important to share this information because Larkspur is widely used by flower farmers and since it hit home with me as a cattle farmer. As I said in the video, these are things we just need to be aware of in our gardens. Thanks for your comment!
Larkspur really self seeds and I have it coming up all over the place! I don’t use it in anyone’s bouquets, I only use it for drying for my own purposes. I’m also very careful as to where I discard the foliage. Seems as though I will have Larkspur forever in some of my garden spaces by its own initiative!
Definitely do not need to hydrate most flowers when drying. I meant to mention that in the video! I hydrated the Larkspur because the blooms are a bit delicate.
That’s a good point. Because I give a lot of bouquets to the elderly and because this is a cattle farm, I am especially careful with things that I know are highly toxic. The purpose of this video was just to point that out and to be aware of what we grow. Thanks for your comment!
I don’t think common sense applies to growing toxic flowers - it’s such a vast topic! Thanks for sharing some information on this beautiful plant Bobbi 🌸
