Flower spikes can reach over 6 foot and when massed together at the back of the border look really special. Delphinium are worth the effort to grow successfully and here are some tips to help.

• Sow seed of Delphinium elatum types in preference to pacific hybrids or buy plant in spring prior to the showing the flowering stem.
• Add plenty of compost and water well in spring and during flowering
• Plant near walls or hedges to protect from wind but stake the plants as well to at least two thirds the eventual height tying in the flowers as they grow.
• Snails and slugs like the jucy foliage so use your favourite slug protection system
• On established plants remove less vigorous shoots to leave 4-6 strong stems. Use these as cuttings.
• Feed with a slow release fertiliser such as bone meal
• Cut flowers off as they fade under the lowest flower then when a new stalk is a foot tall cut out the old stalk and you may get a second autumn flowering
• Mulch with ‘Strulch’ the organic straw based mulch

Delphinium range to try

• D. belladonna varieties are bush with branching stems.  Volkerfrieden is strong blue whilst Cliveden is pale blue.
• D elatum are currently popular including Black Knight a violet, Black Arrow near black, Sand Piper cream & white, or Sunglance a yellow.
• Statuesque Pacific hybrids are amongst the tallest and showest needing a bit more staking and care. try D. Galahad a white with black eye

A National Collection of Delphiniums of over 150 varieties is held at Rougham Hall Nurseries.