Delphinium

Growing Guide

Delphiniums are renowned for their rich colours and commanding presence, often reaching up to 250cm. They flower in early summer and are perfect for beds and borders and make a glorious cut flower. Here at Collie Flowers we tend to grow our Delphiniums as biennials, and keep our fingers crossed we can look after them well enough to be perennials!

For flowering that same year, sow seed in February, 3mm deep good quality seed compost. Make sure that the compost is moist but not wet and seal in a polythene bag until after germination. Transplant when large enough to handle into 9cm pots. Harden off once the last chance of frost has passed and plant out into flowering position, 45cm apart, gently watering them in.



For flowering the next year, sow seed as above between April and June. Transplanting into 9cm pots when large enough to handle, and again into a larger pot once more prior to planting out in the autumn, 45cm apart. Once planted into the the flowering site gently water them in.

TOP TIPS

Delphiniums are a favorite of many gardeners, but it’s important to understand that they prefer moist, cool summers and do not fare well in hot, dry weather. The plants also dislike sudden wind or rain. Except for the dwarf perennials, most delphiniums will need staking in Spring to keep them upright.

Delphiniums need care to keep them looking good. They need protecting from slugs in spring, staking, moist soil and plenty of feeding. If you cut them down to the ground after flowering, you may be rewarded with a second flush of flowers in September.

Delphiniums are hungry plants, which means that they need feeding regularly. Apply a liquid fertiliser every couple of weeks once the first shoots appear to encourage strong growth.