BlueWisteria.co.uk for down to earth gardening information.

Family description Delphinium.

When given good conditions and some care, Delphinium plants become a superb show plant. Grown at the back of the border, the flower spikes will reach 1-2metres high and tower above all else. The most common colour is blue, although pink and white are also available. Delphiniums are a bit temperamental, and require fertile soil that does not get waterlogged. Take some time to give this plant its needs and the rewards will be great.

General care.

Select a site that is free draining and provide the planting area with plenty of manure or compost. Grown well, these plants will produce flower stems 2 metres tall and it is vital that strong support stakes are provided to tie to once growth begins. Slugs and snails are the biggest menace to delphiniums, and they can eat the shoots to ground level overnight. Take the necessary steps to safeguard the growing plants from this annihilation. Once flowering has finished, remove the stalk unless you require seeds. This will induce a secondary display later in the year. Once the foliage dies back in the autumn, cut it all down to ground level, tidy up, removing any weeds, then top dress with compost. After a few years the centre of the crown may die out. If this happens, lift and divide the plant in early spring, replanting only the young healthy portions of the rootstock.

Notes on Toxicity or Culinary usage.

No toxic, culinary or medicinal properties known.

Sales

Items for sale listed below.

Species description. Delphinium elatum x.

All modern Delphiniums are hybridised extensively to produce tall spikes of large flowers that provide impact to a larger border.

Display characteristics for Delphinium elatum x.

• Plant type: Dicotyledon. Deciduous
• Habit: Erect
• Type: Herbaceous.
• Height: 2.00 mtr.
• Spread: 0.50 mtr.
• Attractive to wildlife: None
• Preferred soil type: Clay. Loam. Silt.
• Soil moisture requirement: Medium
• Soil ph: Undefined
• Suitable position: Border.
• Light requirements: Full sun. Part sun.
• Summer water requirements: Medium
• Winter water requirements: None
• Minimum temperature: -20 °c
• Safe Minimum temperature: -10 °c
• Safe Maximum temperature: 30 °c
• Maximum temperature: 0 °c
• Wind tolerance: None
• Salt tolerance: None
• Drought tolerance: Low
• Waterlogging tolerance: Medium
• Toxicity-Edibility: Minor illness possible
• Bloom attributes: Flower arrangement. Showy display. Fragrant flower.
• Foliage attributes: Undefined
• Berry attributes: Undefined
•