Overview
Delphinium 'Molly Buchanan' is a columnar upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Delphinium, part of the Ranunculaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Delphinium 'Molly Buchanan' 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 'Molly Buchanan' is a herbaceous perennial cultivar within the Delphinium genus, known for its columnar upright habit and deciduous foliage. Like other Delphiniums, it produces prominent, bowl-shaped flowers arranged in spikes, making it a striking addition to cottage and informal gardens as well as wildlife gardens. This cultivar thrives in full sun with shelter from wind, preferring fertile, well-drained soils of various types and pH levels. It is hardy in UK conditions (H5) and is best grown in moist but well-drained soil, with staking recommended for taller varieties. Interest is primarily in spring and summer.
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 'Molly Buchanan' 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 'Molly Buchanan'
- 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 'Molly Buchanan'?
Delphinium 'Molly Buchanan' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Delphinium 'Molly Buchanan' need?
Delphinium 'Molly Buchanan' 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 'Molly Buchanan' hardy in the UK?
Delphinium 'Molly Buchanan' 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 'Molly Buchanan'?
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
- Delphinium 'Blue Bell'
- Delphinium 'Ailsa'
- Delphinium 'Alison Claire'
- Delphinium 'Ambrose Woods'
- Delphinium 'Angela Rowe'
- Delphinium 'Ann Woodfield'
- Delphinium 'Anne Page'
- Delphinium 'Ariel Blue'