Delphiniums are a key attraction in many summer flower gardens. These perennials are generally grown for their colourful and long spikes in blue or other gorgeous hues. Delphinium flowers is a genus in the Ranunculaceae family and has more than 300 delphinium species.
These flowers offer a variety of heights, from six-foot-tall beauties to dwarf hybrids, so they can be easily planted in the back, front or middle of a perennial border. The blue delphinium is the most common variety. However, other varieties also come in gorgeous shades of red, pink, purple, violet and white.
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Delphinium: Key facts
| Botanical Name | Delphinium elatum |
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus | Delphinium |
| Foliage | Green |
| Lifecycle | Perennial |
| Native | Europe & West Asia |
| Height | 6 feet |
| Sun Exposure | Direct sunlight |
| Soil Type | Well-drained and humus-rich soil |
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How to care for Delphinium flowers?
- Soil: The soil quality plays a major role in the growth of delphinium flowers. humus-rich and well-drained soil is a must that is preferably slightly alkaline. Mulch can also help in preserving moisture in the soil. However, it can cause them to rot if it is applied too closely to the stems.Â
- Watering: You are required to water deeply during the rainless period but do not allow standing water. Delphiniums like the moist, but the water that lingers can cause root rot and crown. So, always water them at the base and keep the foliage dry in order to help prevent diseases.
- Fertilisers and amendments: Apply a slow-release liquid and balanced fertilisers every 2-3 weeks. You can apply composted manure in autumn as it helps supplement these heavy feeders. Also, avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers.
- Pruning: For best flowering, established plants can be thinned to 5-7 of the best shoots. Whereas, new plants should be thinned to 2-3 good shoots when they are almost three inches. You can also cut the main stalk down after flowering to the level of its smaller side shoots.
- Pest and diseases: Plant your delphiniums in a well-ventilated area and also keep the foliage dry It generally works a long way in preventing diseases. Care should be taken to protect young plants from slugs and snails as they can harm them.
- Support: Delphiniums highly require staking other than the dwarf varieties. Their hollow stem can break when the flower becomes weighted down from rainfall or when blown in the wind. Stake them with sturdy support by attaching them at 12-18 inch intervals.
How do you grow delphinium plants?
Plant delphinium in a sunny area where the soil can stay damp. Do not let them get too dry. Using mulch can also be helpful as it keeps the root cool and the soil moist. These flowers generally grow best in soil that is a bit neutral and drained or slightly alkaline. Make sure that the soil has a sound drainage system, as it helps to keep the plant thriving.
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When to propagate delphiniums?
You can simply grow delphiniums from seeds. You are required to sow the seeds in September, October or from February to June. You can even sow them in seed trays or small pots by keeping the temperature around 50-60 celsius. In addition, the best method for propagating delphiniums is to simply take some cuttings from the base of the plant in the spring season.
How to bloom delphinium plants?
As you see in English gardens, you can easily set off a burst of delphinium blooms. You only need to plant delphiniums in an area that receives sunlight for about 6-8 hours daily. These flowers generally need shelter from rain downpours and strong winds in order to avoid damage to the tall flower stalks.
Also, remember to plant them in an area that allows good air circulation without being overcrowded.
Common problems when growing delphinium plants
Delphiniums can be easily susceptible to powdery mildew in dry weather. So, it is necessary to keep the soil moist around them.Â
They can also be affected by rust, which can further cause rust-coloured pustules on their foliage. In this case, you can pick off any affected leaves you see and clear up any fallen leaves in autumn.
The black blotch delphinium is a bacterial infection that can cause large black blotches on the leaves. It also affects the health of the whole plant and is particularly common in wet summers. Thus, the only treatment is to remove affected plants to prevent the spread of this disease.
Toxicity in delphinium plants
Delphinium is a tall and beautiful plant with a toxic amount of diterpene alkaloids that may cause severe neuromuscular effects in humans, dogs and other animals. Two milligrams of the delphinium plant is enough to kill an adult human.
The amount of toxicity present in the plant changes as it grows. However, if ingested by your pet, it may develop some symptoms of mild constipation to serious cardiac failure and death. Additionally, the alkaloids present in delphinium plants are the nerve blockers that can block the nerve receptors, including the heart.
FAQs
Why do people choose to grow delphinium flowers?
These showy perennials are generally grown for their colourful and long spikes in blue or other gorgeous hues.
What are the varieties of delphinium plants?
These flowers offer a variety of heights from 6-foot tall beauties to dwarf hybrids, so they can be easily planted in the back, front, or middle of a perennial border. However, other varieties also come in gorgeous shades of red, pink, purple, violet and white.
Does delphinium require sunlight?
Delphinium plants generally require direct sunlight in order to grow and produce flowers.
What is the best place to grow delphinium?
These flowers generally grow best in soil that is a bit neutral and drained or slightly alkaline.
Does delphinium require water?
Delphiniums like the moist, but the water that lingers can cause root rot and crown. So, always water them at the base and keep the foliage dry in order to help prevent diseases.
Which type of soil is best for growing delphinium?
Well-drained and humus-rich soil is best for growing delphiniums.
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