A Year of Flowers: Larkspur

Hello, darlings! It’s time to check in with our friends at Poppy + Mint Floral Company for the latest edition in our series, A Year of Flowers. This month’s beautiful bloom is one you’ve most likely seen in arrangements but perhaps you aren’t as familiar with the name and history. Thankfully, we’ve got an absolutely lovely editorial that’s destined to inspire your summer bouquets! 

The larkspur is symbolic of the smooth-sailing feel of summer and its long, warm, carefree days. So, what better setting for a shoot than a sail boat at dusk? Pretty blooms, a free-flowing dress, and the ocean…it doesn’t take much else to make us happy.

Let’s all drift away with gorgeous photos by Of Ren who, by the way, just happened to model for last month’s rose installment! Such a talented crew, and we’re excited to share their latest lovely inspiration:

These flowers, also known as delphiniums, feature layered petals have a light earthy smell, like after it rains on a warm summer day. The edges are delicately jagged in a tall reaching cluster with dark ornate foliage. They get the name Larkspur simply because the sharp borders of the petals resemble a lark in flight.

The sweet buds are a favorite of butterflies and bees from early spring to late summer when they are in bloom!

Native Americans used these beautiful flowers to make blue ink. Still, “Larkspur blue” is a color used in tattoo shops, paint shops, and often seen on a late ‘50s Chevrolet Bel Air! These petals are often used in potpourri because of the radiant color of the petals even when dried.

Who else is TOTALLY swooning over this dress?! Perfect end-of-summer look and it’s available at Free People!

So many amazing colors! The larkspur blooms are complex and abundant and come in a variety of tints and shades with a slight watercolor effect —you’ll find them in white, dusty rose, royal blue and some with a blend of two colors. Each color has its own unspoken message: while they generally represent wistfulness and levity, pink tend toward fickleness and violet shades toward the attachment of first love.

We’re loving the larkspur for a breezy summer wedding or even a fun floral installment for a bridal shower. These stems would hang SO beautifully for a photo wall! Or perhaps you can just go by a bunch for yourself and sail away some place dreamy…sounds perfect to us :)

photography: Of Ren // venue name: Private sailboat, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA // event design: Poppy + Mint // florals: Poppy + Mint // wedding dress: Free People Keza Maxi Dress // hair stylist: April Derokey of Bleu Blow Dry Bar // makeup artist: April Derokey of Bleu Blow Dry Bar // models: Callie Fulmer // earrings: Fringe With Benefits