Larkspur at the Shakespeare Garden

During Shakespeare’s time, gardens were often planted primarily with medicinal plants. However, John Parkinson, in his 1629 book Paradisi in Sole; Paradisus Terrestris, is credited with popularizing the idea that the Elizabethan garden could be a place for flowers grown solely for their beauty. Surely, the larkspur would fall into this category, as Parkinson might have described it as an “outlandish” flower. His descriptions of flowers in Elizabethan gardens are rich and a pleasure to read. The larkspur had both "tame" and "wild" versions, with the wild variety likely present in Shakespeare’s gardens, known to the Bard as "Larks-Heels." In 1837, John Lindley noted that it was “impossible to describe their beauty when paired with colors that harmonized with the blue.” Indeed, it is this striking blue that often defines the plant.

The larkspur (Delphinium) is a non-native perennial that thrives in full sun and prefers moist, well-drained soil. It blooms in mid to late spring, producing spectacular spikes of blossoms that attract both butterflies and hummingbirds. However, its slender stems are fragile and should be protected from strong winds. This plant is hardy in zones 3 through 7.

Despite its striking beauty, Shakespeare only references "Larks-Heel" once, alongside other beautiful blooms, in Two Noble Kinsmen. Larkspur symbolizes love, joy, lightheartedness, and youth, making it a fitting choice for the wedding of Duke Theseus and his bride, Hippolyta.