Overview
Delphinium Dusky Maidens Group is a columnar upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Delphinium, part of the Ranunculaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 1.5-2.5 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Delphinium Dusky Maidens Group grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens and cottage and informal garden.
About
The Dusky Maidens Group consists of vertical herbaceous perennials that reach a height of 1.8 meters. They feature divided green foliage and robust stems, which are densely adorned with semi-double flowers in a muted shade of pink, each showcasing a dark brown center. These blooms typically emerge in early summer. This variety of delphinium is known to attract bumblebees, particularly those with long tongues.
About the genus
Delphinium includes annuals, biennials, and perennials characterized by palmately lobed leaves at the base and prominent, bowl-shaped flowers arranged in spikes, racemes, or panicles.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Delphinium
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Delphinium Dusky Maidens Group size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
- Toxicity
- Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Delphinium Dusky Maidens Group
- Cultivation
- Grow in a fertile, well-drained but moisture-retentive soil in full sun, in a position sheltered from strong winds, and provide stakes or other supports. See staking perennials and delphinium cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- No pruning required except deadheading, cutting spent flower spikes back to flowering sideshoots, and cutting all growth stems down to ground level at the end of the growing season
- Propagation
- Propagate by basal softwood cuttings in spring, or by division in early spring or early autumn
- 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
How do I grow Delphinium Dusky Maidens Group?
Grow in a fertile, well-drained but moisture-retentive soil in full sun, in a position sheltered from strong winds, and provide stakes or other supports. See staking perennials and delphinium cultivation for further advice.
Where is the best place to plant Delphinium Dusky Maidens Group?
Delphinium Dusky Maidens Group prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Delphinium Dusky Maidens Group need?
Delphinium Dusky Maidens Group is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
How do I prune Delphinium Dusky Maidens Group?
No pruning required except deadheading, cutting spent flower spikes back to flowering sideshoots, and cutting all growth stems down to ground level at the end of the growing season.
How big does Delphinium Dusky Maidens Group grow?
Delphinium Dusky Maidens Group reaches a height of 1.5-2.5 metres and a spread of 0.5-1 metres. It takes around 2-5 years to reach full size.
Is Delphinium Dusky Maidens Group hardy in the UK?
Delphinium Dusky Maidens Group has a UK hardiness rating of H6.
How do I propagate Delphinium Dusky Maidens Group?
Propagate by basal softwood cuttings in spring, or by division in early spring or early autumn.
Is Delphinium Dusky Maidens Group toxic?
Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants.