Most commonly grown for their beautiful, tall spires of blue blooms, delphiniums are frequently found in perennial gardens. These elegant plants add a strong vertical element. Because some varieties can grow up to 7 feet tall, plant them at the back of a garden border.
Delphiniums are sought after and planted for their blue flowers. These beautiful blues come in a variety of shades and forms. Many feature a white center, which adds a bright contrast to the deep, rich blue. If blue isn't your color, you can choose delphiniums in a few other colors, too—they can also be found in pinks and reds. There are also some stunning coral-colored varieties and rare yellow ones. These plants have attractive foliage in a pleasing green, with palm-shaped leaves like a fern.
Delphinium plants and seeds are toxic. Plant them in a location away from children and pets.
Delphinium Overview
Where to Plant Delphiniums
Delphiniums prefer cool summers and moist soil, so they don't tend to do well in hot, dry weather. Plant delphiniums in well-draining soil in an area that receives 6 to 8 hours of sun daily. A location at the back of a border or center of an island bed provides some shelter from strong winds protects the tall flower stalks. Use the plants in cottage gardens or anywhere you want to invite pollinators to your landscape.
How and When to Plant Delphiniums
Spring and early autumn are the best times to plant delphiniums. Dig a hole the same depth as the plant's nursery container and at least as wide. They enjoy rich soil, so add compost to the planting holes. Position each plant so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Delphiniums don't like to be crowded, so space the plants 2-3 feet apart, depending on variety, and water them well to establish them in their new home.
Delphinium Care Tips
While delphiniums are well-loved by gardeners, they can be relatively short-lived and picky when it comes to growing conditions.
Light
Delphiniums should be planted in full sun for the best blooms and sturdiest stems. Full sun is at least 6 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight, the minimum amount of light a plant needs to thrive.
Soil and Water
Plant delphiniums in well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. While it's important to keep the plants consistently moist (they don't handle drought well), be sure that the soil has proper drainage. Standing water can lead to crown rot, which causes the plant's whole base to rot and eventually lead to death.
Don't let them dry out completely, especially in hot weather. If you poke your finger in the soil to about 1 inch and it's dry, your plant needs watering. However, if there's ample rain, they shouldn't need supplemental watering.
Temperature and Humidity
One of the most important things to keep in mind is that delphiniums don't like hot summers; they perform best in mild, humid weather. When it does get hot, the plants might die back to the ground. If you're lucky, they may come back as it cools down. In anything warmer than Zone 7, these plants are typically treated as annuals.
Fertilizer
Fertilize delphiniums in the spring when the plants begin to grow, and again while they are flowering, using a granular 10-10-10 fertilizer.
Pruning
Once the delphinium blooms are finished, deadhead them and remove the stalk to encourage a small second bloom. Leave any side shoots and remaining foliage on the base of the plant.
Pests and Problems
In too much shade, especially in humid climates, fungus issues can arise on the foliage. Powdery mildew, botrytis, and leaf spot are all common problems that delphiniums struggle with. The best fungal control method is prevention, so make sure the plants are in well-ventilated areas and full sun to keep foliage dry. If your plant needs any supplemental watering, do it at the base so that the leaves stay dry.
Because these plants are tall, they often need staking or support from neighboring plants.
Delphiniums are known to attract slugs.
How to Propagate Delphinium
The best method for propagating delphiniums is to take a basal cutting in spring when the new shoots appear.
- Cut a small side shoot below the soil level, being careful to take some of the base.
- Dip the base in rooting hormone and pot it in a mixture of potting soil and sand or perlite.
- Store the pot in a cool, dark place at a temperature of 60°F.
- After about ten days, pot up the rooted cuttings individually.
Types of Delphinium
'Blue Butterfly' Delphinium
Delphinium grandiflorum 'Blue Butterfly' grows to only 14 inches tall and has deep blue flowers with a hint of purple. It tolerates heat better than other delphiniums, blooming through most of the summer. Zones 4-7
'King Arthur' Delphinium
Delphinium elatum 'King Arthur' is one of the Round Table Hybrids with 5- to 6-foot-tall flower spikes. It has reddish-purple flowers with a creamy white center called a bee. Zones 3-7
'Dasante Blue' Delphinium
Delphinium elatum 'Dasante Blue' is a compact selection with rich blue flowers with light purple tones. It grows 34 inches tall and 12 inches wide. Zones 4-7
Pacific Giants Series Delphinium
Delphinium elatum Pacific Giants Series are towering plants with bloom stalks reaching up to 7 feet tall. Colors range from light blue to white, pink, and purple. Zones 3-7
'Summer Blues' Delphinium
Delphinium grandiflorum 'Summer Blues' offers soft blue flowers in summer. It grows 14 inches tall. Zones 4-7
'Summer Stars' Delphinium
Delphinium grandiflorum 'Summer Stars' is a dwarf variety that produces pure-white flowers in summer. It grows 12-14 inches tall. Zones 4-7
'Summer Morning' Delphinium
Delphinium grandiflorum 'Summer Morning' is the first true pink variety of Chinese delphinium. It grows 12-14 inches tall, blooming all summer long on well-branched plants. Zones 4-7
Delphinium Companion Plants
Joe Pye Weed
Joe Pye weed is a showstopper of a prairie native, producing huge, puffy flower heads in late summer. It prefers moist soils, but with its extensive root system, it also tolerates drought well. It's a large plant, growing 4 to 6 feet tall. Closely related, hardy ageratum is a spreading plant that grows to 2 feet tall. Another relative, white snakeroot, reaches 4 to 5 feet tall. All are great for naturalistic or cottage plantings and for attracting butterflies.
Hyssops
This hardworking group of perennials does so much. Hyssops bloom for a long time in wonderful colors atop tall, striking plants. They produce a nectar that is irresistible to hummingbirds and butterflies. Most are heat and drought-tolerant; their foliage and flowers are fragrant, with scents ranging from licorice to bubblegum. Most require well-drained soil and prefer full sun, although they will tolerate light shade.
Salvias
There are hundreds of different types of salvias, commonly called sage. They all tend to share beautiful, tall flower spikes and attractive, often gray-green leaves. Countless sages (including the herb used in cooking) are available to decorate ornamental gardens, and new selections appear annually. They are valued for their very long blooming season, right up until frost. Not all are hardy in cold climates, but they are easy to grow as annuals. On square stems, clothed with often aromatic leaves, sages carry dense or loose spires of tubular flowers in bright blues, violets, yellows, pinks, or reds that mix well with other perennials in beds and borders. Provide full sun or very light shade in well-drained average soil.
Garden Plans for Delphinium
Summer Cottage Garden
Add interest and drama to your yard with this eye-catching, long-blooming garden plan. Garden size: 20 by 10 feet.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long do delphiniums live?After they have stopped blooming for the season, cut off the plants at ground level and sprinkle the area with fertilizer so the plant will be healthy the following year. Repeat this process each year, and these short-lived perennials will return for 3-5 years.
After they have stopped blooming for the season, cut off the plants at ground level and sprinkle the area with fertilizer so the plant will be healthy the following year. Repeat this process each year, and these short-lived perennials will return for 3-5 years.
- How tall do delphiniums grow?Many delphiniums produce flower stalks up to 7 feet tall, but some varieties grow to less than 2 feet. It depends on the variety you select. The tallest of the delphiniums benefit from staking to protect them from wind damage.
Many delphiniums produce flower stalks up to 7 feet tall, but some varieties grow to less than 2 feet. It depends on the variety you select. The tallest of the delphiniums benefit from staking to protect them from wind damage.