Delphinium barbeyi — Columnar upright

Overview

Delphinium barbeyi is a columnar upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Delphinium, part of the Ranunculaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 1.5 metres tall. Delphinium barbeyi grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden and wildlife gardens.

About

Delphinium barbeyi is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family known by the common names subalpine larkspur, tall larkspur, and Barbey's larkspur. It is native to the interior western United States, where it occurs in the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. This species is a perennial herb growing up to 1.5 meters tall. The leaves are somewhat rounded in outline and are divided into several lobes. Grow it in full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is hardy in most of the UK (RHS H5). It works well for cottage and informal garden and wildlife gardens. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained, well-drained conditions and south-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Delphinium barbeyi

About the genus

Delphinium is a genus of about 300 species of annual and perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae, native throughout the Northern Hemisphere and also on the high mountains of tropical Africa. The genus was erected by Carl Linnaeus.

Wikipedia contributors, "Delphinium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Delphinium

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Delphinium

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H5

Plant details

Delphinium barbeyi size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial
Habit: Columnar upright
Foliage: Deciduous
Height: 1.5 metres
Suggested uses: Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Delphinium barbeyi

Propagation: Propagate by taking pencil thick basal cuttings in early spring or propagate by seed in spring or autumn (cultivars will not come true)
Pest resistance: May be susceptible to aphids, earwigs, delphinium leaf miner, delphinium moth caterpillars, slugs, snails and caterpillars
Disease resistance: May be susceptible to powdery mildews, delphinium black blotch, crown rot and viruses

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Delphinium barbeyi?

Delphinium barbeyi prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Delphinium barbeyi need?

Delphinium barbeyi is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.