Overview
Delphinium 'Butterball' is a clump-forming, upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Delphinium, part of the Ranunculaceae family, with divided green leaves foliage. Delphinium 'Butterball' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include beds, borders and cut flowers.
About
Delphinium 'Butterball' is a herbaceous perennial cultivar of the Delphinium genus, known for its clump-forming, upright habit and divided green leaves. Like other delphiniums, it produces prominent, bowl-shaped flowers arranged in spikes during spring and summer. This cultivar thrives in fertile, moist but well-drained loam soil with a neutral pH, ideally in full sun and a sheltered position facing south, west, or east. Suitable for beds, borders, and cut flowers, it is hardy to UK zone H5 and benefits from staking and mulching in spring. Propagation is by basal cuttings taken in early spring.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Delphinium
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Delphinium 'Butterball' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump-forming, upright
- Foliage
- Divided green leaves
- Suggested uses
- Beds, borders, cut flowers
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Delphinium 'Butterball'
- Propagation
- Basal cuttings in early spring
- Pest resistance
- Aphids, earwigs, delphinium leaf miner, delphinium moth caterpillars, slugs, snails, caterpillars
- Disease resistance
- Powdery mildews, delphinium black blotch, crown rot, viruses
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Delphinium 'Butterball'?
Delphinium 'Butterball' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Delphinium 'Butterball' need?
Delphinium 'Butterball' grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Delphinium 'Butterball' hardy in the UK?
Delphinium 'Butterball' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Delphinium 'Butterball'?
Basal cuttings in early spring.
More in the Delphinium genus
- Delphinium 'Blue Bell'
- Delphinium 'Ailsa'
- Delphinium 'Alison Claire'
- Delphinium 'Ambrose Woods'
- Delphinium 'Angela Rowe'
- Delphinium 'Ann Woodfield'
- Delphinium 'Anne Page'
- Delphinium 'Ariel Blue'