Dowdeswell Delphinium 'Dusky Maidens'

Awesome spires of dusky pink florets with black bees. Exceptional in the garden and in a vase.

Exceptional in the garden and in a vase, Dowdeswell Delphiniums are some of the best around. They encapsulate cottage elegance and whimsy, when you see them blooming you will almost certainly fall in love.

Bred in NZ by renowned breeders, Terry and Katrina Dowdeswell, these strapping plants have taken the world by storm. Their strong stems are loaded with stunning flowers and they can bloom twice in a season. The plants are tall and vigorous with lovely big florets.

As a more heat tolerant Delphinium variety, Dowdeswell Delphiniums cope well in Australian conditions. With a little care, they are also repeat flowering in autumn; once the first bloom has finished, cut the stem right back and add some fertiliser, and the second flower stem will grow up and open late summer to autumn.

Plant Dowdeswell Delphiniums in full sun to light shade. Ensure to allow good airflow between plants. Dowdeswell Delphiniums need a cool to temperate climate to grow and perform at their best. Plant in a position that is protected from strong winds. In open positions, it is a good idea to provide staking for the tall flower stems, a bit of extra work, but like the old saying goes, beauty is pain! And these plants are definitely worth it.

Grow Dowdeswell Delphiniums in a humus rich, moist, well drained soil, they tend to rot if left sitting in water, so drainage is vital. Delphiniums are heavy feeders, so to flower well they need to be fertilised well. A well rotted sheep manure and some mulch is recommended. Water in well, then keep moist during active growth.

Protect the plants from slugs and snails, especially while young, they find them delicious.