Delphinium Flower

Delphinium Flower Description

With strikingly tall upright spikes of summer flowers, delphiniums can look especially striking in cut-flower displays as well as in the garden. the flower blooms arrive in the early and midsummer, in a wide variety of colours from cream-white right through to lilac, pinks, blues, purples, and indigo.

Ther mid-green leaves gather in clumps around the base of the flower stems. Garden delphiniums are most often harbacious perennials. The weight of the the flower spikes can make the stems prone to snapping in windy conditions and staking is recommended. It is preferable to plant delphiniums in a sheletered position.

It is possible to plant smaller and dwarf varieties in more exposed areas. Inexperienced growers should consider the Belladonna varieties. The vase life for delphiniums is between 7 and 14 days, depending upon the cultivar and room. Delphiniums are also known as larkspur.

Cultivation of Delphinium Flowers

Delphiniums should be sown in fertile, well drained soil in the full sun. Provide support by way of robust bamboo canes in areas prone to wind. During the flowering period it is important to regularly dead-head which will help to prolong flowering and indeed may help to generate a second flush of blooms in the late summer. Second delphinium flushes tend not to be as spectacular as the first. Seeds should be sown in early spring. Delphiniums are prone to attack by snails and slugs as well as a a powdery mildew which can be caused by damp leaves and dry soil.