Where blue flower lances sway gently in the wind in summer, delphiniums show themselves in all their glory. Settled in a group or as an imposing solitaire, the popular perennial sets eye-catching accents in beds and tubs. The multi-faceted Delphinium genus scores with wonderful breeds in all imaginable shades of blue as well as in soft pink and elegant white. Encounter the most beautiful varieties for the garden here. A transparent guide shows how to sow and care for it, including an answer to the question: is it poisonous?
sowing
If you would like to enjoy the wonderful flower candles in the first year, you can do so by sowing behind glass from March. In May or June, the perennials that have been pulled forward move into the bed with a considerable growth advantage over the specimens that have been sown directly. Both variants are explained in more detail below.
Growing in the house
You can take the winged seeds from the ripe follicles in autumn and store them in the dark container in a cool, dry place until spring. In this case you will of course be surprised by the result, because with seeds of a variety it is always questionable which attributes of the parent plants are manifested here. If you are aiming for single-variety sowing, the specialist trade offers certified seeds at an affordable price. You should not start the work before March, as the seedlings could develop unsightly horny shoots due to the poor lighting conditions. How to do it:
- Soak the seeds in room warm water for 4-6 hours
- Fill growing pots with perlite, peat sand or seed soil
- Sow 1-2 seeds in each and sieve 1 centimeter thick
- Moisten with a fine shower and cover with glass or foil
In the partially shaded window seat, germination takes an average of 2 to 4 weeks at 15 to 22 degrees Celsius. During this time, make sure that the substrate and seeds do not dry out. The cover is ventilated from time to time to prevent mold. If the delicate germ buds sprout, the hood has done its job. From mid-May, the young plants can go out into the bed, where they are planted at a distance of 50 centimeters to 1 meter, depending on the selected variety.
Direct sowing
From May to September the time window is open for sowing directly in the bed. Choose a sunny location with humus, deep soil. To improve the permeability in the heavy clay, work in a little sand if necessary and optimize the soil with sifted compost. To avoid pricking out later, a planting distance of 40-50 centimeters is recommended. Press the seeds into the soil and sift them with sand. A hand sprayer is used for moistening so that the seeds do not immediately swim away again.
Tip: The direct sowing of delphinium in the bed is protected from pecking birds and voracious pests with a close-meshed net.
care
Although the delphinium is characterized by a sunny disposition, its foot should at least be shaded during hot midday hours. Despite its stable constitution, the location is in a corner sheltered from the wind, so that even a thunderstorm cannot harm the magnificent shrub. In addition, the following aspects of the maintenance of
Concern:- Plenty of watering, even daily in the case of summer drought
- Water either early in the morning or in the evening
- Fertilize every 14 days with compost, horn shavings, guano or manure
- Alternatively, apply a long-term mineral fertilizer in March and July
Delphinium in the bucket requires more frequent watering than its conspecifics in the bed. Liquid fertilizers are primarily used here for the supply of nutrients.
Cut
You can get a second flower from almost all Delphinium varieties with the help of a simple trick. For this purpose, cut the proud lances back to 15 centimeters immediately after the first flowering. Since the snails are now approaching at the latest, the clippings should not remain in the bed. In addition, a ring made of sawdust, grit or coffee grounds is recommended as a walking barrier.
Tip: Larkspur is completely frost-resistant and does not need winter protection. Simply cut off near the ground in autumn after the second flowering.
Is it poisonous?
Larkspur belongs to the buttercup family and is therefore very poisonous. All parts of the plant, especially the seeds, contain highly toxic alkaloids. These cause stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea and, in the worst case, attack the heart. Larkspur is therefore not suitable for gardens with children and pets.
Nice varieties
Within the numerous genus, three spectacular groups of delphinium hybrids have emerged. 'Belladonna hybrids' score with a richly branched habit, many small individual flowers and a height of 80 to 140 centimeters. 'Elatum hybrids' are less branched, but they reach straight up to 2 meters in height. 'Pacific hybrids', on the other hand, stay a little smaller in order to present wonderful double flowers. The following selection shows beautiful specimens:
'Atlantis' - Belladonna hybrid
Deep midnight blue flowers stand close together along the flower candles. This new variety convinces with high stability and also thrives in regions with harsher climates.
- Growth height 80-100 cm
- Flowering times in June and October
'Capri' - Belladonna hybrid
A historical breed from the Netherlands. Adorable light blue flowers with white eyes. An eye-catcher in every garden.
- Growth height up to 80 cm
- Flowering times in June / July and October
'Double Innocence' - Elatum hybrid
Wonderful cultivation with white, double
- Growth height up to 160 cm
- Flowering times in June and September
'Sweethearts' - Elatum hybrid
The beauty of the flowers has a romantic silhouette, characterized by semi-double flowers in delicate pink with white eyes. Although the flower lances are stable, they should be given a support so that they can withstand a thunderstorm.
- Growth height up to 160 cm
- Flowering times in June and September
'Azurzwerg' - Elatum hybrid
If you are looking for the ideal delphinium for the bucket on the balcony, you will find it here. Azure blue flowers and compact growth predestine this variety for large and small planters.
- Growth height 20 to 30 cm
- Flowering times in June and September
'Astolat' - Pacific hybrid
Violet-pink flowers line the straight flower stalks. Like all Pacific breeds, 'Astolat' should also be rejuvenated by division after 4 years at the latest, as it is not as long-lived.
- Growth height 160-180 cm
- Flowering times in June / July and September / October
'Blue Bird' - Pacific hybrid
A particularly vigorous variety with bright blue flowers and a long flowering period. The American breeders put the main focus on the half-double flowers, which they succeeded in an outstanding way. In addition, the 'Blue Bird' can cope with the local climate very well.
- Growth height up to 180 cm
- Flowering times from June to July and September to October
'Diamond' - Pacific hybrid
A gleaming white gem that attracts attention in every herbaceous bed. This variety is just as decorative in the romantic cottage garden as it is in the Mediterranean garden or in close proximity to roses.
- Height of growth 150 cm
- Flowering times in June and September
Conclusion
With delphinium, a splendid shrub moves into the bed, which impresses with its rural charm and impressive flower candles. Easy to handle in terms of sowing and care, the toxicity limit impairs the joy of the wonderful buttercup plant. The multi-faceted varieties inspire the creative hobby gardener to create beautiful plant arrangements, as long as the location is sunny and sheltered from the wind. Those who prune the straight lances after the first bloom will be rewarded with a second bloom. The delphinium is just not allowed to thirst or hunger; then it will appear in full beauty also in the next year.
