About
A vigorous herbaceous perennial 1.0-1.4m high with strong stems bearing divided green leaves, and tall upright flowers with frilly petals in soft mauve-pink and shades of blue, surrounding white centres, in early summer.
About the genus
Delphinium can be annuals, biennials or perennials, with palmately lobed basal leaves and showy bowl-shaped flowers in spikes, racemes or panicles
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
ToxicityHumans/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
CultivationGrow 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 (for more advice on support, see staking perennials)
PruningNo 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
PropagationPropagate by basal softwood cuttings in spring, or by division in early spring or early autumn
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, earwigs, delphinium leaf miner, delphinium moth caterpillars, slugs, snails and caterpillars
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, delphinium black blotch, grey moulds, sclerotinia disease, crown rot, and cucumber mosaic virus