Larkspur

Larkspur meaning for July birthdays

Larkspur, the annual Consolida (closely related to the perennial delphinium), grows in tall, airy spires that sway above the rest of the summer border. July-born people seen through it are open-hearted and light on their feet, with a streak of ambition: reaching up rather than out. Its old species name, ajacis, nods to the Greek hero Ajax: the petal markings were read as AIA, the Greek cry of grief, a story also told of the hyacinth. It’s an old reminder that light-hearted flowers sometimes have serious roots.

The flower’s names are all about its spur. English saw a lark’s claw, and the Greek delphinion saw a dolphin in the shape of the bud.

Larkspur colours and what they say

• Blue: the classic. Open love, lightness, a clear-sky mood. It’s rare among flowers and prized for that.
• Purple: first love, as the page above notes. Good for a young couple’s anniversary.
• White: a happy nature, joy without complication.
• Pink: traditionally fickleness. Keep it for playful gifts, or mix it with blue and white to soften the message.

Giving larkspur: summer bouquets and dried gifts

Larkspur gives height to summer bouquets, especially with roses, peonies and garden greenery. It suits July birthdays, summer weddings and a thank-you to someone who made you laugh. For a Russian-speaking recipient, keep the stem count odd.

Larkspur dries beautifully and keeps much of its colour, which makes it one of the best “permanent” birth-flower gifts. Hang small bunches upside down in a dark, airy place for two weeks, then tie them with ribbon and add a note. Be sure to mention that it’s toxic if eaten, especially if there are pets or small children in the home.

Care: cut, dried and grown

• Cut: choose stems with the lowest flowers open and the top in bud. Recut, strip lower leaves and keep in cool water. Expect a week or so, and shake off fallen petals daily.
• Growing: sow directly where it will flower, in autumn or early spring. Larkspur dislikes being transplanted and likes a cool start to germinate. Give it sun and stakes in windy gardens.
• Safety: wear gloves if your skin is sensitive, and wash your hands after handling seeds, which are the most toxic part.

A July ritual: the height check

Larkspur can grow nearly a metre in a single season. In the week of your birthday, stand tall by a window, shoulders back, and name one area of life where you’ve grown this year and one where you want to reach higher next. Place a dried stem somewhere visible as the reminder. July’s stone is the fiery ruby, a bold match for the flower’s cool blue. August brings the gladiolus.