Overview
Delphinium 'Darwin's Purple Indulgence' is a columnar upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Delphinium, part of the Ranunculaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Delphinium 'Darwin's Purple Indulgence' 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 'Darwin's Purple Indulgence' is a herbaceous perennial cultivar within the Delphinium genus, known for its columnar upright habit and deciduous foliage. This plant produces the genus's characteristic prominent, bowl-shaped flowers arranged in spikes, adding vertical interest to the garden during spring and summer. It thrives in full sun with shelter from wind, preferring fertile, moist but well-drained soil across a range of types and pH levels. Suitable for cottage, informal, and wildlife gardens, it benefits from staking and spring mulching to support healthy growth.
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 'Darwin's Purple Indulgence' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Delphinium 'Darwin's Purple Indulgence'
- 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 'Darwin's Purple Indulgence'?
Delphinium 'Darwin's Purple Indulgence' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Delphinium 'Darwin's Purple Indulgence' need?
Delphinium 'Darwin's Purple Indulgence' 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.
Is Delphinium 'Darwin's Purple Indulgence' hardy in the UK?
Delphinium 'Darwin's Purple Indulgence' 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 'Darwin's Purple Indulgence'?
Propagate by taking pencil thick basal cuttings in early spring or propagate by seed in spring or autumn (cultivars will not come true).
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'