Overview
Delphinium 'Sungleam' is a columnar upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Delphinium, part of the Ranunculaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 1.5-2.5 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Delphinium 'Sungleam' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. It is a holder of the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden.
About
Delphinium 'Sungleam' is a tall, upright perennial that can reach up to 2 meters. It features lobed leaves and produces racemes that extend to 60 centimeters, adorned with semi-double flowers that are creamy-white accented with yellow tinges and yellow centers.
About the genus
Delphinium includes annuals, biennials, and perennials characterized by palmately lobed leaves at the base and prominent, bowl-shaped flowers arranged in spikes, racemes, or panicles.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Delphinium
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Delphinium 'Sungleam' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden
- Toxicity
- Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Delphinium 'Sungleam'
- Cultivation
- Grow in a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun; shelter from strong winds and stake well. Apply a balanced liquid every couple of weeks in the growing season. For best flower spikes thin shoots when 7cm high to leave a minimum of 2-3 shoots on young plants and 5-7 shoots on established plants. See staking perennials and delphinium cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- Deadhead by cutting spent flower spikes back to small flowering side shoots. Cut down all growth to ground level after it has withered in autumn.
- Propagation
- Propagate by taking pencil thick basal cuttings in early spring
- 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
How do I grow Delphinium 'Sungleam'?
Grow in a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun; shelter from strong winds and stake well. Apply a balanced liquid every couple of weeks in the growing season. For best flower spikes thin shoots when 7cm high to leave a minimum of 2-3 shoots on young plants and 5-7 shoots on established plants. See staking perennials and delphinium cultivation for further advice.
Where is the best place to plant Delphinium 'Sungleam'?
Delphinium 'Sungleam' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Delphinium 'Sungleam' need?
Delphinium 'Sungleam' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
How do I prune Delphinium 'Sungleam'?
Deadhead by cutting spent flower spikes back to small flowering side shoots. Cut down all growth to ground level after it has withered in autumn.
How big does Delphinium 'Sungleam' grow?
Delphinium 'Sungleam' reaches a height of 1.5-2.5 metres and a spread of 0.5-1 metres. It takes around 2-5 years to reach full size.
Is Delphinium 'Sungleam' hardy in the UK?
Delphinium 'Sungleam' has a UK hardiness rating of H5.
How do I propagate Delphinium 'Sungleam'?
Propagate by taking pencil thick basal cuttings in early spring.
Is Delphinium 'Sungleam' toxic?
Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants.