Delphinium
Delphinium are an old fashioned favorite in many gardens. Their tall elegant spires and beautiful colors stand out in bold fashion at the back of any garden. For a bright blue color that may be hard to achieve in your garden otherwise, Delphinium provide many blue hues from very dark to all shades of light blue. Other colors such as white, pink, yellow, and red are also available.
Delphinium prefer full sun, but cool roots, so provide this with summer mulch. Good winter drainage is a must to prevent freezing and thawing of the crown. When watering, don't allow the foliage to get wet as you will then have to fight mildew. Before blooms appear, only water when the soil is somewhat dry. Once they begin blooming, however, they will need water more frequently. Fertilize with bone meal in the spring when they first begin to appear above ground. Slugs can be a big problem, so keep slug bait around the plants to avoid holey foliage. Since many of these beauties have such tall flower spikes, up to six feet with some varieties, staking is helpful to prevent breakage and crimping of the stalks. There are newer varieties, however that only achieve a foot or two in height for those who don't have space for such tall varieties. Most varieties survive and flower about three years, after which you should dig up and divide the plant. Reseeding also occurs freely if you don't deadhead the old flowers.
By: Sandy Weinkam
Gardening Expert at A.J. Rahn Greenhouses
Delphinium prefer full sun, but cool roots, so provide this with summer mulch. Good winter drainage is a must to prevent freezing and thawing of the crown. When watering, don't allow the foliage to get wet as you will then have to fight mildew. Before blooms appear, only water when the soil is somewhat dry. Once they begin blooming, however, they will need water more frequently. Fertilize with bone meal in the spring when they first begin to appear above ground. Slugs can be a big problem, so keep slug bait around the plants to avoid holey foliage. Since many of these beauties have such tall flower spikes, up to six feet with some varieties, staking is helpful to prevent breakage and crimping of the stalks. There are newer varieties, however that only achieve a foot or two in height for those who don't have space for such tall varieties. Most varieties survive and flower about three years, after which you should dig up and divide the plant. Reseeding also occurs freely if you don't deadhead the old flowers.
By: Sandy Weinkam
Gardening Expert at A.J. Rahn Greenhouses
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