Overview

Delphinium 'Scorched Earth' is a clump-forming, upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Delphinium, part of the Ranunculaceae family, with divided green leaves foliage. Delphinium 'Scorched Earth' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include beds, borders and cut flowers.

About

Delphinium 'Scorched Earth' is a herbaceous perennial cultivar within the Delphinium genus, known for its clump-forming, upright habit and divided green leaves. Like other Delphiniums, it produces prominent, bowl-shaped flowers arranged in spikes during spring and summer. This cultivar thrives in fertile, moist but well-drained loam soil with a neutral pH, ideally in full sun and a sheltered position facing south, west, or east. Suitable for beds, borders, and cut flowers, it benefits from staking and spring mulching, with propagation by basal cuttings in early spring. It is hardy to UK zone H5.

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 4.0Delphinium

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Delphinium

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Loam
Soil pH
Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Delphinium 'Scorched Earth' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Clump-forming, upright
Foliage
Divided green leaves
Suggested uses
Beds, borders, cut flowers

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Delphinium 'Scorched Earth'

Propagation
Basal cuttings in early spring
Pest resistance
Aphids, earwigs, delphinium leaf miner, delphinium moth caterpillars, slugs, snails, caterpillars
Disease resistance
Powdery mildews, delphinium black blotch, crown rot, viruses

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Delphinium 'Scorched Earth'?

Delphinium 'Scorched Earth' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Delphinium 'Scorched Earth' need?

Delphinium 'Scorched Earth' grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.

Is Delphinium 'Scorched Earth' hardy in the UK?

Delphinium 'Scorched Earth' 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 'Scorched Earth'?

Basal cuttings in early spring.

More in the Delphinium genus

Browse all Delphinium