Delphinium - Garden Basics - Flowers - Annual - Garden Basics - Flower - Annual
(Delphinium x cultorum)
This
cottage garden essential grows up to 3 feet high. Though perennials
in cool climates, they are best grown as annuals in warm areas.
Use them as background plants in mixed borders or massed where
height is needed. Flowers appear in spring and early summer in
warm zones and mid to late summer in cooler areas. They are delightful
cutflowers. Cut when the lowest flowers are fully open and the
top buds are starting to show color. The plants prefer full sun
but tolerate half a day of sun. Provide shelter from strong wind,
otherwise they will require staking. Soil should be well-composted
and well-drained.
Seeds can be started in pots or trays and transplanted at 12-15 inch intervals when large enough to handle. Water regularly and deeply to encourage strong growth. Once plants are 6-8 inches high, apply compost or other fertilizer to encourage buds. In cool zones you may get a second season if flowers are left to die down naturally. If retaining the plants, cut off the foliage as it browns. The new stalks will bear flowers smaller than the first crop but noless colorful in about two and a half months--usually in early fall.
- Type
annual/perennial -
Propagation
seeds -
Light
full sun -
Flower Color
various -
Bloom Time
early summer to early autumn -
Height
3 feet -
Soil
well-composted, well-drained -
Zones
all -
Uses
cutting bed, back of border, beds
