Caring for Delphinium Plants

If there are delphiniums in your garden you'd better take time to look at them. The mild weather can push new foliage out early, and it needs protection from pesty slugs and snails. This is not only true of delphiniums but other perennials, such as shastas, michalemas daisy, phlox, astilbe and others. When this new growth begins to show, clean up around the surface of old leaves and foliage remaining from last fall.

It's best to cut off the old stems (pulling them away may pull the plant out of the soil). Loosen the soil and work in some quickacting nitrogen fertilizer, such as nitrate of soda or ammonium phosphate, being careful to keep it away from the crown of the plants. The growth reaction will be fast. Never fertilize a dry soil. One good thing about delphiniums is they require little watering in the clump stage.

Once planted this hardy perennial will perform several times for a number of seasons. Each period of bloom can be spectacular with extra feeding, following a brief rest period after blooming. Delphiniums grown in a mixture of colors in pony packs, usually six plants, will be arriving in nurseries in a matter of weeks. Planted now, the roots of delphiniums will develop during the following months that will support sturdy growth and bloom desired this spring and summer.

Larkspurs are annual delphiniums. The flowers are less showy but lovely in their own right. There is lots of lateral branching along the main stem which is never as strong as the delphinium stalk. Larkspur should be planted where they are to grow. Late autumn is best but there is still time now. The seed need only be scattered on top of freshly dug and raked soil and gently pressed in with the back of a rake or hoe.

Give the planting a very light sprinkling. The seed germinates quite slowly. When the plants are well along, big enough to handle, thin them so this remaining plants are about six inches apart. The seedlings that were removed can be transplanted to other spots in the garden or shared with a neighbor. Delphinium seed is easily grown but sow it as soon as it is ripe in the late summer or early fall.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphiniums