Home › Ornamental Gardens › Flowers › Delphinium Care Of Delphinium Flowers: Tips For Growing Delphinium Plants Delphinium By: Becca Badgett, Co-author of How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden Printer Friendly Version Image by gardendata By Becca Badgett (Co-author of How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden) Delphinium flowers beautify the summer garden with showy, spiky blooms on a tall, sometimes towering stem. Delphiniums come in a range of shades. Many gardeners wonder how to grow delphinium and some avoid planting them after hearing that the plant is difficult to grow. What are the secrets to the correct care of delphinium? Read more for tips about delphinium planting and how to get the best performance from growing delphinium plants. About Delphinium Plants One commonly thinks of delphinium plants (Delphinium) as having true blue flowers, which is the most common color. But numerous hybrids are available in shades of pink, lavender, red, white and yellow. Blooms may be single or double. Delphinium planting is normally at the back of the bed, where flower spikes can reach 2 to 6 feet tall. Delphinium flowers are often planted in masses or groups. Shorter varieties are useful in other areas of the garden. How to Grow Delphinium Grow delphinium plants in a sunny area with soil that is consistently moist. Don’t let them dry out. Mulch helps retain moisture and keeps roots cool. Performance of this specimen is enhanced when growing delphinium plants in neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH. Soil should be well-draining. Care of delphinium should include regular fertilization in spring when the plant begins to grow, and during the flowering period. Work in well-composted organic material such as rotted cow manure, or use a basic 10-10-10 granular fertilizer. Yellowing foliage or stunted growth often indicates the plant needs more fertilizer. Sun exposure is another aspect of care of delphinium that the gardener must get right for the showy blooms to appear. Gentle morning sun is preferable to the delphinium plants, which are picky about extreme differences in temperatures. Provide afternoon shade, especially when planted in hotter zones. Special Tips for Delphinium Plants An important aspect of caring for the thought to be difficult delphinium is deadheading the first blooms in early summer. Remove flower stalks when blooms are spent. When all blooms are removed and moisture and fertilization requirements are met, the gardener can expect a bountiful blast of blooms in late summer or early autumn. This is when delphinium flowers are at their most beautiful. Often, this may be the final show for the short-lived perennial, but the striking beauty and long lasting blooms are worth the effort. Taller varieties may require staking, especially when planted in areas with heavy rain or wind. Stems are hollow and break easily under this type of stress. Some disease and insect pests may attack delphiniums, keep an eye on young plants and when planting delphiniums, make sure soil conditions are right for the plant. Delphiniums may be propagated from seed or basal cuttings; however, don’t propagate from diseased plants. Now that you’ve learned how to grow delphiniums, get started with delphiniums grown from seed, starting indoors in late winter. Add a few new delphinium plants each year so you’ll always have the showy blooms in your yard.
Read more at Gardening Know How: Care Of Delphinium Flowers: Tips For Growing Delphinium Plants https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/delphinium/growing-delphinium-plants.htm
Read more at Gardening Know How: Care Of Delphinium Flowers: Tips For Growing Delphinium Plants https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/delphinium/growing-delphinium-plants.htm
Light:
Part Sun, Sun
Type:
Perennial
Height:
From 1 to 8 feet
Width:
1 to 3 feet
Flower Color:
Blue, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow
Foliage Color:
Blue/Green
Seasonal Features:
Summer Bloom
Problem Solvers:
Deer Resistant
Cut Flowers, Good for Containers
Zones:
3-7
Propagation
Seed
Colorful Combinations
Delphiniums are sought after and planted for their blue flowers, which are rare to find in other plants. These beautiful blues can come in a variety of shades and forms. Many feature a white center, which adds a bright contrast to the deep, rich blue. Most delphiniums are in the blue and purple range, but they can also be found in pinks and reds. There are some stunning coral-colored varieties, and even some rare ones in yellow. These plants have attractive foliage in a pleasing green, with palm-shaped leaves like a fern.
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Delphinium Care Must-Knows
Delphinium plants are well loved, but they can be fairly short lived and picky when it comes to garden conditions. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that delphiniums don't like hot summers—they perform best in mild weather. When it does get hot, plants can melt out and die back to the ground. If you're lucky, they may come back as it cools back down. In anything warmer than Zone 7, these plants are typically treated as annuals.
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Plant delphiniums in humus-rich, well-drained, organic soils. While it's important to keep the plants consistently moist (they don't handle drought well), be sure that the soil has proper drainage. Standing water can lead to crown rot, which causes the whole base of the plant to rot, which will eventually lead to death.
Ideally, delphiniums should be planted in full sun for the best blooms and sturdiest stems. In too much shade, especially in humid climates, foliage fungus issues can arise. Powdery mildew, botrytis, and leaf spot are all common problems that delphiniums deal with. The best fungal control method is prevention, so make sure plants are in well-ventilated areas and full sun to keep foliage dry. If your plant needs any supplemental watering, make sure to do it at the base of the plant so the leaves stay dry.
Because these plants are tall, they often need staking or support from neighboring plants. Once their blooms are finished, deadhead them, because you can usually get a small second bloom after.
See more on staking perennials.
Delphiniums are magnificent and every year we enjoy the Delphiniums regal colors. The shades of blue delphinium colors are like no other in the flower garden. You will enjoy the hummingbirds and butterflies that are attracted to the alluring Delphinium flowers.
Hybrid delphinium plants are an extremely hardy perennial, surviving in the northern areas all the way into Zone 3. Each variety varies in height and color and our selection covers them all including Pacific Giants, Magic Fountains, and Dowdeswells.
Graceful Gardens offers the most diverse selection of Delphinium plants in the country. There is nothing more satisfying in the flower gardening world than to grow magnificent Delphinium plants!
Hybrid delphinium plants are an extremely hardy perennial, surviving in the northern areas all the way into Zone 3. Each variety varies in height and color and our selection covers them all including Pacific Giants, Magic Fountains, and Dowdeswells.
Graceful Gardens offers the most diverse selection of Delphinium plants in the country. There is nothing more satisfying in the flower gardening world than to grow magnificent Delphinium plants!