Overview

Delphinium elatum is a herbaceous perennial in the genus Delphinium, part of the Ranunculaceae family. It typically grows around 1.0 m tall. Delphinium elatum grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. It is native to Europe to N & C Asia.

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

In the garden

Delphinium elatum is a herbaceous perennial native from Europe to north and central Asia and valued for tall, erect flower spikes. In the UK it flowers from June to August and is commonly selected where summer colour and height are needed within a mixed herbaceous scheme. Give the plant a sunny position with soil that retains moisture yet drains freely; it tolerates sandy, loamy and clay soils provided they are not waterlogged. The UK hardiness rating H7 equates to fully hardy, and the species also falls within USDA zones 4–7, so it survives typical winter conditions in Britain. Expect plants to reach roughly 1.0 m, which makes them suitable for mid-border placement where their vertical form can be seen without obscuring lower companions. Alpine delphinium suits the centre or back of mixed borders and can be used where spring bulbs or lower perennials provide a stage beneath the flowering spikes. Wear protective gloves and other equipment when planting, pruning or dividing, and consult the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and contact numbers regarding pets. All parts of the plant are harmful if ingested, so store prunings securely and keep children and animals away from cut material.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Delphinium

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Sandy, Loamy, Clay

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

UK hardiness

H7

Plant details

Delphinium elatum size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Herbaceous perennial

Height

1.0 m

Native to

Europe to N & C Asia

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

Frequently asked questions

From the Fenn Plants journal

• Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
• Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
• Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.

More in the Delphinium genus

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  Delphinium 'Nora Ferguson'Larkspur
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  Delphinium Hybrids, BelladonnaLarkspur
• 
  Delphinium cardinalecardinal larkspur
• 
  Delphinium cheilanthumgarland larkspur
• 
  Delphinium grandiflorumlarge-flowered delphinium
• 
  Delphinium grandiflorum 'Azure Fairy'Larkspur
• 
  Delphinium grandiflorum 'Blue Butterfly'delphinium 'Blue Butterfly'
• 
  Delphinium grandiflorum 'Hunky Dory White'Siberian Larkspur