About
Raymond Lister' is an erect, strong-growing, free-flowering herbaceous perennial, up to 1.7m high, with an equal balance between lobed green leaves and tapering spikes of brown-eyed, mid-blue flowers in midsummer.
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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
ToxicityHarmful if eaten. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun; shelter from strong winds and provide stakes or other supports. See staking perennials and delphinium cultivation for further advice
PruningNo pruning required except deadheading; cut 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, and cucumber mosaic virus