Delphinium 'Gemma' — Columnar upright

Overview

Delphinium 'Gemma' is a columnar upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Delphinium, part of the Ranunculaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Delphinium 'Gemma' 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 'Gemma' is a herbaceous perennial cultivar belonging to the genus Delphinium, known for plants with palmately lobed basal leaves and prominent bowl-shaped flowers arranged in spikes or racemes. This cultivar has a columnar upright habit and deciduous foliage, thriving best in full sun with a sheltered aspect such as south, east, or west-facing positions. It prefers fertile, moist but well-drained soil types including chalk, clay, loam, and sand, across a range of pH levels. Hardy to UK zone H5, it is well suited to cottage and informal gardens as well as wildlife gardens, with interest in spring and summer.

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

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 'Gemma' 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 'Gemma'

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 'Gemma'?

Delphinium 'Gemma' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Delphinium 'Gemma' need?

Delphinium 'Gemma' 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 'Gemma' hardy in the UK?

Delphinium 'Gemma' 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 'Gemma'?

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

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