How To Grow Delphiniums
The delphinium is a genus of fully thardy perennials, so much admired particularly in the cottage garden setting.
Delphiniums are tall, majestic plants with showy open flowers on branching spikes. Each flower has 5 petal-like sepals with 2 or
4 true petals in the centre called a bee.
Delphinium species include all three primary colours, blue, red, and yellow. Hybridisation of delphiniums has resulted in many
new colours and attractive flower forms and growing heights. Flower colours range in shades of blue from palest sky, through to
gentian and indigo; rich purple, lavender, pink to purest white.
The modern delphinium is the result of hybridisation of delphinium species from wide and varied parts of the world. Crosses
made by growers keen to improve specimens they were able to acquire have resulted in the modern plants, which are truly
spectacular. In England Blackmore and Langdon, nurseryman and leading breeders of Delphiniums continued this work from
early in the 20th century producing named varieties of large well-formed delphiniums. Others have also added their skills and
developed the most dramatic and eye-catching plants to grace our gardens.
Many are varieties that are disease resistant, offering protection against both powdery mildew and black spot. They are good
cut flowers and will last about 6 to 8 days in a vase.
Delphiniums give their best performance in well-drained soils in full sun but they can be grown in dappled or part shade. They
are heavy feeders and therefore quire extra nutrients particularly in early spring and later in the season. Mulching with manure
at the start of the season and a liquid feed every two to three weeks throughout the summer will giving them a rich diet for the
development of their flowers. Stunted growth and yellow foliage are signs the plants need additional fertilizer.
Delphiniums
Some varieties of delphiniums may grow up to 6 ft. (180cm) tall, making them excellent background plants. The Chinese
delphinium (Delphinium grandiflorum) grows 2 to 3 ft. (60cm-90cm) tall and therefore suited to the middle or front of the perennial
border. Just like most other varieties, it will bloom throughout the summer if the plants are cut back regularly.
Pests and Problems
Slugs unfortunately relish delphiniums. At the first sign of spring your plants will be bursting into life - and they will need protection
from these slimy creatures otherwise they may not survive to grace your garden. Many people will automatically reach for the slug
pellets, these do work of course but they are life threatening to other creatures in the garden, other creatures that we would like to
encourage because they work with us, helping to eliminate other pests around our gardens.
Beer traps work well, just put some beer into a shallow container that has steep sides, the slugs love the stuff and when they have
drunk their fill they simply drown. Seeing their stranded brethren does not seem to deter their fellow snails from slithering into the
same fate.
Another good trap is to place a half of either grapefruit or melon skin with the flesh removed. Place them upside down on the
ground; here the slugs gather over night; these can be collected the next morning and disposed of
We grow Delphinium Elatum and the New Millennium Delphinium.
They are hardy, and with some care they are long-lived specimens.
General Care of New Millennium Delphiniums
In England, where taller border delphiniums with handsome, long, flowering spikes were long ago anointed queen of the garden,
the New Millennium series has drawn comments like “quantum jump” and “excellent display.”
Top of the range, these delphiniums are of the "English Hybrid Type", which are mostly very hardy, strong stemmed delphiniums,
with magnificent heavily petalled flowers.
The New Millennium series has the virtues of improved winter hardiness and a sturdy growth habit.
They are generally regarded as far superior to "Pacific Giants" and many other commercially available types.
General Care of Delphinium Elatum
After blooming, cut back the plant between three to six inches from the ground and dispose of all old foliage. Do not cut off any
new foliage that is close to the ground. Doing this will encourage re-bloom in the autumn. Do not cover or protect them in the
winter, as the snow insulates them. It takes about two years for delphiniums to become fully established. If you wish to divide them,
it may be done after five years. It is best done in early spring when the plant is three inches high. If you have a problem with slugs,
Powdery mildew can be problem in a dry garden. Keep your delphiniums well watered as they are growing. Perennials need one
inch of water per week.
Soil Preparation
Dig about eighteen inches deep and three feet wide and mix compost or worm castings into your soil. They are heavy feeders and
require a spring feeding every year to produce tall bloom spikes, so add composted manure or worm castings every spring. The
organic liquid supplement, “Orgunique” also works well. When the bloom spikes begin to show buds, apply again. Planting Gently
tease the roots loose if they are tightly wound. When planting do not cover the crown of the plant. If you do, it will rot. Sprinkle
some blood fish and bone ferterlizer at the bottom of the hole. Place the delphinium in the hole then water the roots and allow the
water to filter into the soil before completely back-filling to the existing soil level. Water again. When placing the delphinium in your
garden, allow a three foot diameter of space for future growth. They need good air circulation to prevent problems of mildew and
fungal disease from occurring.
Staking
They need to be staked to prevent the tall bloom spikes from breaking. We have found the best plant support system is a grid
system with two powder coated steel stakes. The circular grid holds each bloom individually. This plant support system should be
placed around the middle of May to allow the plant to grow through the grid. As it grows up through the grid, slide the grid up the
two stakes. General Care After blooming, cut back the plant between three to six inches from the ground and dispose of all old
foliage. Do not cut off any new foliage that is close to the ground.
.
Common Name : Larkspur
Blooming Season : Spring, Summer
Plant Habit : Upright
Water : Medium
Fertilizer : Spring and Summer
Position : Sun
Height : 4-6 feet
Delphinium New Millenium Pink Punch
Common Name : Larkspur
Blooming Season : Spring, Summer
Plant Habit : Upright
Water : Medium
Position : Sun
Height : 4-6 feet
Delphinium New Millenium Dusky Maiden
Common Name : Larkspur
Blooming Season : Spring, Summer
Plant Habit : Upright
Water : Medium
Position : Sun
Height : 4-6 feet
Delphinium New Millenium Blue Lace
Common Name : Larkspur
Blooming Season : Spring, Summer
Plant Habit : Upright
Water : Medium
Position : Sun
Height : 4-6 feet
Scientific Name :
Delphinium
Common Name :
Larkspur
Blooming Season :
Spring, Summer
Plant Habit :
Upright
Water :
Medium
Position :
Sun
Height :
24-60 inches
Delphinium New Millenium 'Double Innocence'
Common Name : Larkspur
Blooming Season : Spring, Summer
Plant Habit : Upright
Water : Medium
Fertilizer : Spring and Summer
Height : 30 - 40" (76 - 102cm)
Width : 16 - 20" (41 - 51cm)
Position : Sun
Common Name : Larkspur
Blooming Season : Spring, Summer
Plant Habit : Upright
Water : Medium
Fertilizer : Spring and Summer
Height : 30 - 40" (76 - 102cm)
Width : 16 - 20" (41 - 51cm)
Position : Sun
Delphinium Elatum Blueberry Pie
Common Name : Larkspur
Blooming Season : Spring, Summer
Plant Habit : Upright
Water : Medium
Fertilizer : Spring and Summer
Height : 30 - 40" (76 - 102cm)
Width : 16 - 20" (41 - 51cm)
Position : Sun
Delphinium Elatum Morning Sunrise
Common Name : Larkspur
Blooming Season : Spring, Summer
Plant Habit : Upright
Water : Medium
Fertilizer : Spring and Summer
Height : 30 - 40" (76 - 102cm)
Width : 16 - 20" (41 - 51cm)
Position : Sun
Alton
Aresford
Burley
Ellingham & Ringwood
Emsworth
Hamble
Petersfield
Ringwood
Southsea
Southampton Bedford Place
Winchester The Broadway
Delphiniums are sold by us in 5.5ltr or 10ltr pots and are mature plants
Delphinium Elatum Morning Lights
Delphinium Elatum Bollero
Common Name : Larkspur
Blooming Season : Spring, Summer
Plant Habit : Upright
Water : Medium
Fertilizer : Spring and Summer
Height : 30 - 40" (76 - 102cm)
Width : 16 - 20" (41 - 51cm)
Position : Sun
Delphinium Elatum Cha Cha
Common Name : Larkspur
Blooming Season : Spring, Summer
Plant Habit : Upright
Water : Medium
Fertilizer : Spring and Summer
Height : 30 - 40" (76 - 102cm)
Width : 16 - 20" (41 - 51cm)
Position : Sun
Common Name : Larkspur
Blooming Season : Spring, Summer
Plant Habit : Upright
Water : Medium
Fertilizer : Spring and Summer
Height : 30 - 40" (76 - 102cm)
Width : 16 - 20" (41 - 51cm)
Position : Sun
Delphinium Elatum Flamenco
Common Name : Larkspur
Blooming Season : Spring, Summer
Plant Habit : Upright
Water : Medium
Fertilizer : Spring and Summer
Height : 30 - 40" (76 - 102cm)
Width : 16 - 20" (41 - 51cm)
Position : Sun
Delphinium New Millenium Pagan Purples
Common Name : Larkspur
Blooming Season : Spring, Summer
Plant Habit : Upright
Water : Medium
Position : Sun
Height : 4-6 feet
Delphinium Elatum Sweet Sensation
Delphinium Elatum Sungleam
Alcea (Hollyhock)
Achillea
Agapanthus
Agastache
Aquilegia
Arctotis
Astrantia
Buddliea
Buddliea Altternifolia
Butterfly Weed
Catananche caerulea
Canna Lilly
Carnation
Coreopsis
Delphinium
Echinacea
Echinops
Eryngium
Geranium
Gerbera
Geum
Gypsophila
Helenium
Herbs
Hosta
Iris
Lantana
Leucanthemum
Lupins
Monarda
Penstemon
Peonies
Phlox
Polemonium
Rudbeckia
Sidalcea
Tanacetum (Pyrethrum)
Thalictrum
Trollius
Verbena
Veronica
Common Name : Larkspur
Blooming Season : Spring, Summer
Plant Habit : Upright
Water : Medium
Fertilizer : Spring and Summer
Height : 30 - 40" (76 - 102cm)
Width : 16 - 20" (41 - 51cm)
Position : Sun
Delphinium New Millenium Sweetheart
