Delphiniums are perennials grown for their showy spikes of colorful summer flowers in gorgeous shades of blue, pink, white, and purple. They are popular in cottage-style gardens and cutting gardens.
Delphiniums are a favorite of many gardeners, but can sometimes be a challenge. They prefer moist, cool summers and do not fare well in hot, dry weather. The plants also dislike sudden wind or rain.
Except for the dwarf perennials, most delphiniums need staking.
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The rain has pummeled my
The rain has pummeled my Delphiniums so that they are lying on top of each other on the ground and the stems snap when I try to lift and re-stake them. Mostly they are starting to go to seed. Would it be ok to cut them close to the base so I can clean up this tangled mess or should I do my best to remove only the spikes and leave the rest until the stalks turn Brown, or something else? The flower bed is HUGE and almost completely comprised of tall Delphiniums.
Hi Juliett, Just cut the
Hi Juliett,
Just cut the spikes to the ground leaving any remaining foliage. Water and your plants may regrow another flowering spike before the end of the season.
A couple of years ago I
A couple of years ago I rebuilt our raised flower garden in our back yard using PT wood and everything we planted there (phlox, saliva, foxglove, lilies, etc.) has thrived so when it came time this year to rebuild the raised flower bed in our front yard, I felt confident using PT wood. I made a "concoction" of dirt using Scott's topsoil (they say it contains peat moss, but it can't be much), garden soil, additional peat moss (to keep the ground loose) and I threw in a little milorganite to boot. About a week ago we planted phlox and delphiniums and, after planting, I soaked the bases of the plants with Miracle-Grow's QuickStart (I followed the directions). The next day I soaked the ground with water and the third day another dose of the QuickStart. I've been watering every day since. The phlox are THRIVING!!!! It's only been a week and they all have new stems with buds coming up. The delphiniums, on the other hand, while not appearing to be dying, don't seem very "happy." The leaves are green, but all the edges of the leaves are drooping. Am I just being impatient or am I doing something wrong? Thanks!
Soory! Forgot to mention that
Soory! Forgot to mention that I live in Wisconsin, zone 5.
We really enjoyed your post
We really enjoyed your post and hearing about your gardening experience. Congrats on the phlox success. In terms of the delphiniums, perhaps it's just wilting with the heat. Be sure to deadhead delphs after blooming, too. All the best!
Not sure it can be from the
Not sure it can be from the heat. It's the end of July and we're still waiting for summer! We've had about four days in the low 90s, maybe two weeks total in the 80s, the rest of summer has been 70s (even came close to breaking a record low for last monday). If I understand correctly, once the delphinium flowers die, they should be deadheaded asap? Thanks!
Delphiniums like moist soil,
Delphiniums like moist soil, not soggy and not dry. Try to water deeply a couple of times a week. Adding mulch around the plants will help to keep the soil moist and the roots cool. Deadheading spent flowers will promote new growth and maybe more flowers before the end of summer.
I have a couple of delphinium
I have a couple of delphinium plants that have been consistently pathetic looking. They don't grow, never bloom and just take up space. I finally read somewhere that they like an alkaline environment, so I put some lime around each one. Well they are both putting up new sprigs. I wish I knew this earlier.
It's mid July in Illinois and
It's mid July in Illinois and I planted my delphinium about one month back. It gets full afternoon sun and the summer has been very hot and humid this year. All my flowers have fallen off and the stalks and leaves are turning brown. I water the plant about three times a week and it has a nice layer of mushroom compost on top of the soil. I have not cut anything back yet.
What am I doing wrong?
Since the leaves are turning
Since the leaves are turning brown after just a month, in addition to the flowers (which might fade just as part of their life cycle), it might be the heat. If the temperatures have been very hot (around 90F or above), with the full afternoon sun on them, it could stress the plant enough to dry it out. Provide partial shade during the afternoon hours. Another season, if hot temps are frequent in your area, you might try planting your delphiniums where they would get morning, rather than afternoon, sun. You might also try heat-tolerant varieties. Mulch is great, and will help to keep the soil cooler.
Also check your watering. Over- or underwatering can cause browning foliage. Water deeply and provide about 1 inch per week, adjusting for any rain or hot weather you might have; during hot spells, increase to every other day. Don't let the soil dry out, but don't let the soil get soggy either.
Bugs - many bugs! I started
Bugs - many bugs!
I started my delphiniums about 6 years ago & they have done amazingly until this year. Their growth was stunted & some of the leaves looked heavy, shiny & sticky. There was a "bazillion bugs under the leaves! The double white never made it through the Winter (zone 3) & the other 3 were so infested I cut them back completely. Husband asked if they were gnats. I have no clue - anybody have an idea?
We're not sure, Melissa, but
We're not sure, Melissa, but here are two coop ext site in which you might find a match with your plants' conditions:
• http://extension.psu.edu/pests...
• http://www.gardening.cornell.e...
We hope this helps.
Hi, My name is Marilene I am
Hi, My name is Marilene I am in Ireland and I planted my little purple beauty three weeks ago. Delphinium 'Blue Fountains' We are having lots of unusualy long hot sunny days and she has turned brown andlooks like she is struggling allot.
Today I did something terrible and cut her back completely. I thought maybe it would be better for the roots to give them time to relax in the soil without worrying about having to think about keeping its actual foliage and flowers happy.
Please tell me I have not killed her forever.
If your beautiful Blue has
If your beautiful Blue has flowered once this season, you may have done a perfectly good thing; it may bloom again. We can't promise but cutting back after first bloom is frequently recommended. Fertilize her once again.
BTW, how far did you cut back: what do you mean by "completely"? It is advisable to cut only the flower stalk for reblooming.
My delphiniums break off at
My delphiniums break off at the top whenever they flower. They look bad. Should I be planting them closer to the house or a similar wall for protection? Or do I need to plant them I clusters so they have each other to be more protected from the wind? They look beautiful, but grow very tall and then flower and then snap off just as soon as they are beautiful....I love the plant but feel like I'm doing something wrong....help?
This is usually an indication
This is usually an indication that the plant/s need to be staked. See here for advice and options for doing that:
http://extension.psu.edu/plant...
I am so sad! I was so
I am so sad! I was so excited to get my little Delphiniums home and planted to add a gorgeous blue to my little flowerbed. I wish I had read more on them though...I have a bazillion and one snails and they ate everything down to nubs! :( I now hate snails even more....is there a way to revive my poor Delphi-nubs?
First of all you need to get
First of all you need to get rid of your snail problem. You can buy snail and slug bait with iron phosphate, which is usually successful. Go to our slugs/snails page at http://www.almanac.com/content/slugs for more information about getting rid of snails.
If the roots are OK the delphinium will grow new leaves.
Great!! Thanks so much!
Great!! Thanks so much!
I have the same problem with
I have the same problem with slugs. Sluggo works great for getting rid of slugs and it says it works for snails also.
I just read about the green
I just read about the green looper worms and delphinium. They strip mine almost every year. Sevin ant dust works, but I know it will kill the butterflies and bees. What else could I use? They truly will destroy it in a few hours, and start with the almost-blooms most years. ps I live in Wyoming.
Hi, LuAnn, These are nasty!
Hi, LuAnn,
These are nasty! But there is not much you/we can do. We mention handpicking and Sevin below. Here's a little more:
Our bast solution is actually a few we've researched. The University of California has several suggestions: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG...
This Colorado State pdf has several interesting pics and offers an array of deterents and worse for loopers on page 24 (the cabbage looper appears on p 15): http://webdoc.agsci.colostate....
A third solution seems to be self inspection and removal by hand, and explained here are neem (it stops them from feeding and so eventually they die), and suggests natural enemies: http://www.extension.umn.edu/g...
If you happen on any additional or new sure-fire methods/ideas, please share!
I'm so disappointed in the
I'm so disappointed in the three Delphinium Grandiflorum "Summer Cloud". We live in Zone 9 according to another well respected site focused on Perennials only (Tampa, FL). When we purchased these at a large retailer, they were selling quickly so we snapped them up after being told it would be ok to leave in the pots as long as we kept the soil moist. About 2 weeks ago when we were finally able to plant in our flower bed all of the flowers had already fallen off. The plant instructions on this plant says "full sun", My flowerbed faces northeast and this plant gets full sun until approximately 1:00 pm (due to a bush planted approx. 2 feet behind it.
Of course because we had just planted at first the soil was kept very moist and we used a moderately priced, nutrient enriched potting soil. This time of year is known for afternoon summer rain and I'm afraid the soil hasn't had the opportunity to dry out enough for it's taste.
We've also experienced a change in color of the leaves to a light green, which was previously deep green.
We planted at least 12" apart and away from other plants in our flower bed.
It's been a while since the flowers fell off so I feel like an idiot when u refer to cutting off flower spikes. What does that mean? The whole stick? I don't know what I'm looking for & I do not want to cut the wrong piece. If it needs more prolonged sun exposure trimming the bush back isn't a problem but the actual plant is shock and although the soil has been pretty damp due to rain, it feels a little on the dry side. I'm puzzled. Can you help me to save this beautiful plant? As you can see I've tried to provide as much detail as possible. Thank you
Keep the soil moist but not
Keep the soil moist but not too wet and most delphiniums will grow well in full sun or light shade, so there is not need to trim your bush back. Cut the entire spent flower spike (stalk) back to where you see small side shoots.
Do you know where delphiniums
Do you know where delphiniums are from?
Hi, May, The modern delph is
Hi, May, The modern delph is the result of hybridization of species from around the world.
The word delphinium comes from the ancient Greeks whose word meaning dolphin (delphis) is a reference to the flower buds, suggesting that the buds resemble dophins.
I have about 20 delphinium
I have about 20 delphinium plants grown from seed in 9 inch pots in my greenhouse. Can I plant them out now oct5th or should I overwinter them in my greenhouse with a little heat and cover them with fleece to protect them from frost. Your advice would be gratefully appreciated.
We are not clear where you
We are not clear where you live. In temperature climates: If you set out your transplants in October, they will flower in late spring to early summer bloom. In areas with cold winters, you would seed in April or May. Protect from frost by loosly covering with pine branches.
I live in worsley Manchester,
I live in worsley Manchester, england
Love the Almanac, wait for it
Love the Almanac, wait for it to come out every year. I have two tall delphiniums that are about 15 years old. They always bloom late September, is there a way to speed this up?
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