- Botanical Name
- Delphinium x hybrids. Dowdeswell: D. elatum
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Plant Type
- Herbaceous perennial
- Size (HxW)
- New Millennium: 45-75cm x 30-45cm. Guardian: 70-110cm x 25-45cm. Dowdeswell: 80-180cm x 40-90cm.
- Depth & Spacing
- Plant just below the soil surface, where roots meet the stem, don’t plant too deeply or the crowns may rot. Space 30-60cm apart. WARNING: When planting Delphinium crowns it is a good idea to place snail bait, sawdust, beer, or whatever you use to deter slugs/snails as they are very fond of their young and tender shoots!
- Soil
- Well drained, humus rich soil is ideal. Delphiniums will thrive if conditions are improved each year. Adding organic compost or well rotted manure and potash will ensure good growth and maximum flowers.
- Aspect
- Full sun in Cool, to light shade in Temperate to Mediterranean climates. Plant in a position that is protected from strong winds, the stems are strong and fairly self supporting, but you want to be sure. In windy conditions, tall varieties will require staking, we recommend doing this at the time of planting to avoid damaging the roots later.
- Climate
- Cool to Mediterranean
- Frost
- Hardy
- Water
- Water to establish, and then keep moist in active growth for best results.
- Fertiliser
- Lightly top dress in spring when they have begun growing with a well balanced fertiliser OR well rotted manure (sheep is ideal) and potash.
- Flowering Time
- Summer to autumn
- After Flower Care
- As the first bloom begins to fade, cut back to the ground and lightly fertilise, you should have a second flush late summer to autumn. Remove spent flowers and cut back hard in late autumn to tidy.
- Notes
- Snails and slugs love the new shoots, so protect thoroughly against them to avoid losing your Delphiniums. Do not let them sit in water/boggy soils as they will rot. Keep the area free of weeds to reduce nutrient competition and promote healthy plants. Following any signs of rust on the leaves, remove, or spray with an appropriate fungicide (organic preferred). When used as a cut flower, you can dip the stems in hot water before putting into a vase, this will extend their shelf life and keep them upright.
New Millenium are compact enough to grow in pots, but care will need to be taken with them to ensure they are well nourished and don’t dry out.
