The Delphinium (Delphinium elatum) comes from the Ranunculaceae family. It is a showy, short-lived perennial known for its long, colorful spikes in blue and other colors. In Greek, the word delphinium can be translated to ‘delphis,’ which means dolphin. This name is derived from the belief that the tightly closed flower buds resemble a dolphin’s nose. 

Image credits: JamesDeMers and NOAA.

There are many varieties of delphiniums ranging from dwarf hybrids to 6-foot-tall plants. Among these variations, the blue delphinium stands out as the most prevalent. Still, every delphinium flower brings color when they bloom in gardens during the summer. However, since they are short-lived perennials, it’s important to note that delphiniums typically last for only 2–3 years in the garden. 

Characteristics of Delphinium Plants and Flowers

Let’s look at the delphinium plants in more detail. These features are relevant for most species of delphinium. Here are some of them:

• Plant family: Delphinium is a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae. They are native throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
• Plant type: Delphiniums are short-lived perennial plants.
• Sunlight: These plants need 6–8 hours of sun a day, preferably morning sun. They also need shelter from strong winds.
• Soil type: They need moist loam, which is well-draining. The soil pH should ideally be neutral between 6.5 and 7.0.
• Height: Delphiniums may reach heights of 3–7 feet. The tallest varieties from the delphinium elatum group reach 5–7 feet. Whereas the dwarf types like delphinium grandiflorum range from 1–2 feet tall.

Image credits: Skylight55.

• Flower color: Apart from the light blue delphinium or white delphinium, there are also beautiful flower varieties in red, yellow, pink, and purple.
• Blooming: Delphiniums bloom in late summer or early autumn. Sometimes, delphinium flowers bloom with single, semi-double, or double flowers, also called florets.
• Toxicity: This plant is toxic to people and animals like horses. Any direct contact with the foliage can result in skin irritation.

What Does Perennial Delphinium Represent?

A delphinium flower represents cheerfulness, goodwill, and joy. In some cultures, it is used to remember loved ones who have passed.

What Part of Delphinium Is Poisonous and What Happens if You Touch Delphinium?

Delphiniums are considered toxic to humans and animals. All parts of the plant contain poisonous chemicals and various diterpenoid alkaloids like methyllycaconitine. When you plant delphiniums, avoid touching them without gloves; otherwise, you can get skin irritation. Don’t consume the delphinium seeds because they have a 1.4% content of alkaloids, which can cause severe digestive issues.

Image credits: Now This is Gardening with JohnnyA.

Take care of your pets because some plants are poisonous to animals and can cause death or other health issues. There are many plants like delphiniums, which are beautiful but toxic, like the gorgeous moonflowers. If you decide to grow these plants, take the proper precautions.

What Are the Different Types of Perennial Delphinium?

You might come across various delphinium species, cultivars of Elatum, Grandiflora, or crosses between the two, also called Belladonna. 

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• Elatum group delphiniums form single, semi-double, or double flowers in early to mid-summer. They are a high-maintenance variety. ‘Magic Fountain’ and ‘Centurion’ are two types in this group that can grow up to 2–3 feet tall and sprout white flowers.

Image credits: Darcey Flowers.

• Belladonna group delphiniums have heavy flower spikes of single or double flowers. They are hybrid delphiniums. ‘Blue Donna’ is one type from this group that grows to 2–3 feet tall and has bright blue flowers.

Image credits: Mayesh Wholesale Florist.

• Grandiflorum group plants are also called Chinese or Siberian delphiniums. They are compact and bushy and bloom with blue or white flowers mid-summer. They seem to have a higher heat tolerance than other varieties. ‘Summer Nights’ is one type from this group that grows to 10–12 inches (0.8–1 foot) tall and has midnight blue flowers.

Image credits: GAIMARD.

Delphiniums have been grown for many years but are still confused with the larkspur plant. Here are some features that set the two apart.

Delphinium Flower vs. Larkspur Flower

• Larkspurs belong to the genus of delphinium consolida. 
• These plants share the name larkspur, with delphiniums also being called candle larkspur or bee larkspur and consolida being called rocket larkspur or field larkspur.
• Larkspur are annual plants, whereas delphiniums are considered perennial, biennial, and sometimes annual.

Image credits: Nested West and Oldiefan.

• Larkspur flower spikes are looser and less dense. Delphinium flower spikes are elongated and dense.
• Delphiniums are highly toxic if ingested, and larkspur are less harmful.
• Some delphiniums can reach heights of 6–7 feet, whereas larkspur can reach 2–4 feet.

Now that you understand the difference between delphiniums and larkspur, you can learn how to plant them and create the most beautiful flower garden. However, remember that these plants are slightly high-maintenance and need suitable soil, water, and temperature conditions.

How to Plant Delphiniums

Follow these steps to plant and grow delphiniums in your garden or smaller pots in your house. 

• Start by preparing the soil with compost or mulch, which should be at least 1 foot deep.
• Loosen the soil so water can drain quickly.
• Make a hole and place the plant or seeds inside. Ensure the root ball is level with the soil’s surface. Then, fill up the dirt and mix in some manure or fertilizer.
• Ensure the plant gets full sun but enough protection from winds.
• Water the delphinium a few times a week or when you see it droop.

Image credits: Dulcey Lima.

How Can You Grow Delphiniums From Seeds?

Delphiniums can be grown from seeds by starting them in winter or early spring. Use fresh seeds for this. Fill a tray with 3–4 inches of loose soil mix, add the seeds, and cover with 1/8th inch of compost. Spray this mixture with water and cover the tray with a plastic bag. Keep spraying the soil so that it stays wet. Seedlings should emerge within 3–4 weeks.

Pro Tip: When transplanting the seedlings, ensure the hair-like roots don’t dry out.

Image credits: Now This is Gardening with JohnnyA.

When to Plant and Grow Delphinium?

The best time to plant delphinium is late spring to early summer. You can start sowing the seeds ten weeks before the last day of spring frost. Don’t wait for late summer because the seedlings may not sprout. Shift potted delphinium transplants in spring and place them at a distance of 2–4 inches apart.

Where to Plant Delphinium?

The best spot to grow delphinium is in an area with 6–8 hours of sun. When you place these plants in a sunny spot, they will flourish. The soil should be well-draining, and there should not be standing water, which can cause root rot.

How to Grow and Care for Delphiniums in Your Summer Garden

Now that you know how to plant delphiniums, it is crucial to understand how to help them grow and look after them. Here are some steps to follow:

Provide Stake Support

Delphiniums are hardy plants, but once they reach 12 inches, their stalks might not hold the weight of the flowers. By mid-spring, you can insert sturdy stake supports to help the plants grow steadily.

Image credits: Good Soil Nursery.

Add Fertilizer

Delphiniums require much care and attention. Apply a liquid fertilizer at the start of spring after every 2–3 weeks. Care for the delphinium by using organic fertilizers such as cow manure. If you notice yellow foliage, the delphinium needs more fertilizer. 

Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers because they can damage the plant and flower bed. With plenty of nutrition, the delphiniums will produce showy flower spikes.

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Image credits: JamesDeMers.

Propagate Young Plants

You can grow more delphiniums by propagating basal cuttings. You will need a hand spade, watering can, and gloves to propagate the plant.

• Water the plant well at least 24 hours before to prevent transplant shock.
• Pick a section from the side shoots that you can cut.
• Start digging 5–6 inches from the center of the shoot.
• Lift the delphinium shoot and shake off excess soil.
• You can place these shoots in small pots indoors or in the garden in a spot that gets direct sun.
• Gently water at the base of the plant.

Here are some more useful tips for propagation. 

Don’t Let the Soil Dry Out

Grow and care for your delphinium by ensuring your summer garden has well-draining soil. Keep the soil moist; otherwise, the plant will wilt. Wet soil will keep the roots cool but don’t overwater; otherwise, these finicky delphiniums will experience root rot. Wouldn’t it be great if delphinium roots were as strong as these tree roots that can battle concrete?

Care for the Flower Spikes

The delphinium’s blue flowers need to be trimmed occasionally. Cut flower stalks by leaving 2–3 shoots on young plants and 5–7 on mature plants. Once you cut the flower spikes, the new smaller stalks will develop and flower.

Image credits: Zuza-Musial.

Replant Delphiniums

You can care for delphiniums by dividing and replanting the plants every 3–4 years during the spring. Remove new little plants and place them in different locations. You can discard the hard root of the parent plant. Replanting can be a chore. Imagine how easy it would be to have a machine that moved trees for you!

Harvest Delphinium Flowers

Delphiniums have an elegant flower that will look beautiful in a vase in your house. You can harvest these tall spires of blue by cutting the flower when at least one bud is showing color and starting to open. The flowers will stay fresh in the vase for 6 to 8 days. With such gorgeous flowers, having a cool vase to match makes sense. Try out these unique vases designed to make the sprouting flowers look like flowing hair.

Prune the Plant

Prune the delphinium plants grown in pots or outdoor taller varieties every few months. Remove the mature flower spikes from the center and thin the number of shoots growing. This will encourage a second bloom again in late summer or autumn.

The Right Temperature and Humidity

Delphiniums are susceptible to getting a powdery mildew infestation when humidity is too high. They thrive in mild temperatures between 70–80 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid planting them in areas that are too hot.

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Now that you know all the steps to grow a delphinium, here’s how to keep it safe from other pests and problems.

Pests and Problems That Can Affect Delphinium Care

These are some of the most common issues that your delphinium might encounter and how you can look after it:

• Fungus like powdery mildew, gray mold, leaf spot disease, and botrytis can occur if the climate is too humid. You can combat them by ensuring the plants are in well-ventilated areas and the foliage is dry. Trim and remove the affected plants.

Image credits: Happy Sowing Happy Growing.

• Insects and critters such as slugs, mites, snails, and nematodes may infest your delphinium. You can remove them with gloves and spray insecticide on the plant. Before you start feeling guilty, remember that not all bugs are cute.
• Overwintering can damage the plant. You can prevent this by mulching, which discourages frost damage. If the plant is very young, it can be moved indoors.
• Overcrowding of delphinium plants can affect air circulation and lead to fungal problems. You can divide the new growth early on to prevent this from happening. If there are any diseased plants, remove them before the fungus spreads to the rest of the shoots.

Image credits: New Zealand Delphiniums.

• Wilting or drooping plants could be a sign of less watering or hollowing of the stems. Solve this by placing proper support stakes near the plant and watering it regularly.

How to Beautify Your Summer Garden With Delphinium Blooms

Delphiniums can make your garden look eye-catching. You can follow these steps to make their colors pop:

• Grow delphiniums in groups or bunches.
• Mix them with pastel-colored flowers to contrast their color.
• Place them near a fence for added support and wind protection.

Good landscaping can transform your garden. You can start by enhancing the beauty of your delphiniums by growing companion garden plants.

Companion Garden Plants for Your Summer Border

These are a few interesting plants you can grow with delphiniums that add to their beauty:

1. Joe Pye Weed

This plant produces showstopping puffy flowers. It has an extensive root system and can spread well. Due to its hardy roots, it can withstand dry soil and will not choke your delphinium growth. It can grow to a height of 4–6 feet tall.

2. Hyssops Bloom

These lovely flowers are striking and produce nectar that is irresistible to hummingbirds and butterflies. Their scents are intoxicating and often smell exactly like licorice or bubblegum. They are also hardy plants that pair well with delphiniums.

3. Salvias

There are many different types of salvias, and they all produce beautiful, tall flower spikes with gray-green leaves. These ornamental plants will look fabulous next to your eye-catching delphiniums. Since they also grow in cold climates, they will provide color when the delphiniums aren’t flowering.

If a delphinium seems too much work, you can try out some beautiful alternatives to this flowering plant.

Delphinium Alternatives

Delphinium flowers are elegant and gorgeous, but the plant needs high maintenance. If you are not up for the challenges of growing it but want lovely flowers, you can pick from these alternatives.

Foxglove 

The foxglove plant produces purple, yellow, and white bell-shaped flowers marked with spots within. These flowers are biennial, which means they flower in the second year. They typically grow to 45–150 cm (18–60 inches).

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Image credits: YangGuangWu.

Hollyhock

Hollyhock is a herbaceous flowering plant that produces white, pink, red, and sometimes yellow flowers. These gorgeous flowers appear several times yearly and decorate the plant’s stem. The plant grows by reseeding.

Image credits: congerdesign.

Baptisia

This is a striking perennial plant that needs minimum care. It is also called false indigo, and it produces vibrant pea-like blossoms. The flowers also come in white and yellow. 

Image credits: Chicago Botanic Garden.

Handy Delphinium Care Pro Tips

Here are some words of wisdom for Delphinium lovers. Follow these steps to ensure a flourishing plant:

• If you have trouble growing delphinium from seeds, put the fresh seeds in egg cartons with a damp seed mix. This will help them sprout faster.
• When deadheading the blooms, remove the spent flower stalks first.
• Don’t propagate delphiniums from diseased plants; always use seeds or basal cuttings.

Transform Your Yard With Delphiniums

The majestic delphinium plant is an excellent addition to your garden. Once you get used to its sensitive nature, you can care for it so that it flourishes. If you love flowering plants and want to create a lively yard, try growing more colorful plants. You can plant a beautiful Bird of Paradise plant, Dianthus, or even a Bougainvillea. The world is your oyster, and your garden is where you should have the most fun.

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