Delphinium Hybrids, New (Larkspur)

About

Delphinium Hybrids, New is a hybrid larkspur in the family Ranunculaceae noted for its multi-flowered summer stems. It flowers from June to August. Leaves are palmate and deeply lobed, usually with three to seven pointed lobes. All members of the genus are toxic to humans and livestock, so handle plants with care.

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 Hybrids, New belongs to the genus Delphinium, a group of roughly 300 annual and perennial species that occur across the Northern Hemisphere and on the high mountains of tropical Africa; the genus was established by Linnaeus. Hybrid selections combine traits from both short-stemmed, few-flowered types and taller, many-flowered forms, so check the label to confirm whether a given variety is annual or perennial before planting. Choose a planting position that suits the growth habit: short-stemmed selections fit open, prairie-style or meadow plantings, while taller, many-flowered types are more at home toward the back of a mixed border or at a woodland edge where they can be partly sheltered. Flower display runs from June to August; leaves are palmate and deeply lobed. Because all Delphinium are toxic to people and animals, avoid planting where grazing livestock have access and wear gloves when handling cuttings or composting spent material. Nomenclature can be confusing for gardeners: some plants historically sold as Consolida or Aconitella are treated within Delphinium in modern classifications. The botanical name itself refers to a dolphin — an old comparison drawn from the shape of the flowers in classical texts.

More in the Delphinium genus

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