How to Grow Delphinium

Delphinium plants are tall and stately - up to 6 feet high - and have intense blue flowers in late spring and early summer. These perennials (meaning they grow back year after year) are also available in light blue or white.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Bypass Pruners
• Compost Makers
• Fertilizers
• Garden Stakes
• Mulch
• Plants
• Seeds

Choosing Delphinium

1. Buy delphinium in 4-inch to 1-gallon containers.

2. Look for plants at nurseries in late spring and through the summer.

3. Choose healthy-looking plants with signs of new growth in leaf and flower bud.

Caring for Delphinium

1. Cut off any remaining stems from the previous year in early spring using bypass pruners.

2. Apply a light application of organic fertilizer on top of the soil; follow package directions.

3. Mulch around - but not on top of - the plants with 3 inches of organic compost.

4. Water well until soil is completely moist in summers with no rainfall.

Planting Delphinium

1. Plant delphinium in full sun and well-drained soil.

2. Add a light application of organic fertilizer to the planting hole.

3. Place the plants no deeper than they were growing in the containers.

4. 

   Set the plants 1 foot apart.

5. 

   Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost.

6. 

   Water well until soil is completely moist.

7. Use plant supports or stakes to keep the tall stems from breaking. Sink the support or stake in the soil 4 to 6 inches away from the plant. Loosely tie the plant to the stake with stretchy tape at 2 and 4 feet.