Delphinium variegatum, commonly known as Royal Larkspur, is a perennial herb native to California’s diverse habitats, including coastal prairies, mixed evergreen forests, chaparral, and the lower montane zones. It typically grows to about half a meter in height and is characterized by its erect form and deeply lobed leaves with hairy petioles. The inflorescence boasts up to 25 deep blue flowers, occasionally lighter or white, each with a spur that can be up to 1 inch long. Flowering occurs from April to July, with the blooms being quite showy and attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Royal Larkspur is valued for its striking blue flowers, which make it a popular choice for wildflower gardens, native plant landscapes, and as a cut flower. It prefers full sun to light shade and requires well-drained soils; it is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping. While it is generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to fungal diseases in overly moist conditions. Gardeners should be aware that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested. The subspecies ssp. kinkiense is federally listed as endangered, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts for this species.CC BY-SA 4.0