Top Ten Delphiniums

Grow classic perennial delphiniums and annual larkspurs for elegant and dramatic summer colour, says Graham Rice

- Graham Rice

THERE’S nothing quite as majestic as a mature delphinium plant at its peak. Those vertical spikes, standing to attention at the back of the border, surging towards the skies, make an impression like no other perennial.

But, remember, larkspurs are delphiniums, too – annual delphiniums that are among the easiest and most rewarding of hardy annuals to grow. So you can plant delphiniums for the long term and annual delphiniums for the short term.

Perennial and annual delphiniums

Perennial delphiniums often reach 6ft (1.8m) in height, shorter in their first year, and half the height of the stems can be the flower spike. They’re nothing if not dramatic. Semi-double florets up to 2in (5cm) across are gathered into a tapering tower that may be 8in (20cm) wide at the base and a mature clump will throw up a dozen or more of these impressive spires through dark, broadly divided leaves.

Blue is the classic colour and every shade is available – with a dark eye or white – with purples, lilacs, lavenders, pinks, creams and even yellow plus some tightly double-bicoloured varieties.

Annual delphiniums (larkspurs) peak at about 4ft (1.2m) and are altogether more delicate in colour, with smaller flowers in slender spikes and in softer shades.

Care and attention repaid

Both groups repay a little care. They’re not fussy, but varieties in both groups appreciate good pre-planting preparation, watering and feeding on poor, dry soils, support when in flower, and prompt deadheading to encourage a second flush of flowers.