Pink delphinium. Garden care

What flowers just do not grow in the vast gardens. Unusual candles, consisting of many buds, are so pleasantly pleasing to the eye. They are called Delphinium, Spur, Larkspur in various regions. The ability to survive and delight in flowering in the cold season made them especially popular.

Description and features of the delphinium

Delphinium in some areas they call ferns. The first name he received for the structure of the spike, which is so similar to the head of a dolphin. The second name is due to the eye or spur in the sepals.

Perfectly survive in regions with cold winters, and reveal in all its glory in cool summers. That is why they are so popular in central Russia.

Here you can find up to 100 species of it. Life expectancy is dictated by climatic conditions. The same species in different regions can live from 4 to 8 years.

A simple bud basically has 5 petals, with a spur in the center. What makes it a peduncle and suitable for pollination of small hummingbirds or bumblebees.

The color of the flowers is diverse, but in most cases, depending on the type, these are buds with a blue and purple hue. White delphiniums with a pronounced smell.

Flowers are collected in a standing panicle of various sizes from 30 to 100 cm without peduncle. The leaves are similar to, since they are cut into lobules to the base. Each piece is very pointed at the end.

Delphinium planting and breeding

Growing Delphinium Doomed to success if you meet some requirements when choosing a seat. likes to wake up in the sun and stay on it no less than before lunch.

The second condition is that the site is mandatory without drafts. The last condition is the occurrence of groundwater, it should not be too close. Since he does not like stagnation of water.

In the photo, the white delphinium

Having fulfilled all the requirements, the question will not arise about how to grow a dolphinium in your garden is right. Propagated vegetatively and by seed.

Division of rhizomes:

Plants of three years of age are suitable for reproduction. Great time for delphinium planting spring, young shoots appear.

The whole bush is dug up, the root system is examined. If there are rotten areas, be sure to remove them.

Rinse under running water, divide into divisions with roots, shoots.

In order for rooting to be successful, many gardeners advise planting the divided parts of the root system in pots. After 3 weeks, rooting will come.

Cuttings are ready for planting in open ground.

After planting, mulch the soil with humus or peat.

Delphiniums can immediately throw peduncles. They should not be spared, but frustrated. This will provide an opportunity to build up the underground part of the bush.

In the photo, the terry hybrid delphinium

Separate the cuttings in another way. To do this, the bush is not completely injured, but only digs in carefully and cuttings with roots and young shoots are separated. They should be planted in boxes for rooting in wet sand. If you decide to plant the cuttings immediately in the open ground, then you must definitely pritenit.

Seeds:

Planting seeds delphinium at home conditions, falls at the end of winter. For this, it is important to remember that planting material must be in a cold place, heat adversely affects their germination.

Soak for several minutes the seeds in a pink solution of potassium permanganate.

Then, rinse under water and dip into any stimulant overnight.

Remove from the last solution, dry.

Prepare the soil for growing seed delphinium: humus, garden soil, with the addition of sand. Sterilize the mixture in the oven or in a steam bath. To increase friability add vermiculite.

Slightly compact the earth and sprinkle seeds on the surface. Top with the same soil to a small thickness. If the varieties are different, put a sticker with the names.

Spray the soil from the spray gun so that the seeds do not float.

The container is covered with glass, covered with dark material on top.

The temperature can withstand from 10 to 15 degrees C for 3 days.

Then lower the temperature. Can be refrigerated or taken out onto the balcony for 14 days.

Spray periodically, ventilate the soil.

During this time, seedlings may appear, take out the container on the windowsill with a temperature of 20 degrees C, remove the black material.

A signal for a dive will be the appearance of 2 real leaves.

Delphinium seedlings needs hardening, at the time of appearance of 4 leaves.

Seedlings delphinium in springplanted in open ground after a stable weather without frost

Before planting, feed the seedlings 2 times with minerals with a gap of 15 days.

Dolphin Care

The delphinium loves the soil loamy, chernozem, but always nutritious.

Since flower bushes can grow up to 6 years in one place, care should be taken to saturate the soil with compost, humus, and ash. During the growing season, the flowers require top dressing in 3 mineral approaches.

After 4 years, it is useful to delphiniums separated by rhizomes. It was during this period that the plant qualitatively gives the number of shoots, which in most cases, without voids, take root well. Safe transplantation is carried out in a certain growth of shoots up to 20 cm. Tall specimens are very fragile, there is a high probability of breaking them.

Loosen the soil regularly after watering.

Sprinkle ash near the bushes in rainy summers. This will prevent fungal disease.

Remove flower stalks after each flowering to the base of the soil by 15 cm.

At dolphin caredo not forget that fragile shoots with peduncles can stretch up to 2 meters. Therefore, you need to tie up the stems.

Types and varieties of delphinium

Delphinium belongs to the family of buttercups. In the family there are perennial and annuals. Annual Delphiniums include about 40 species.

The most common annual species:

In the photo, the delphinium field

Decorative, fluffy bushes stretch up to 2 meters along with peduncles. A distinctive feature is their repeated flowering throughout the season.

In some cases, they can bloom thrice. Suitable bushes for cutting. A candle with buds, not counting the peduncle, extends up to 30 cm. The plants in bouquets look original due to the different gamut of petals: pale blue, pinkish, purple shades. Depending on the variety.

Garden Delphinium or Ajax is a hybrid, its derivatives are oriental and dubious species. The spread in growth is from 20 cm to 1 meter. Delphinium flowers 5 cm in volume, collected in a standing panicle.

In the photo, the New Zealand Dolphinium

Perennial delphiniums have many different hybrid varieties. In order not to get confused in them, they are divided into certain groups:

Elatum. The group of varieties is united by the color of the buds: purple, blue, blue.

Mafin group. Tall hybrids up to 2 meters. Petals are half-double.

New Zealand Dolphiniums. A distinctive feature of the group are large buds (7 cm), which can be terry or semi-double. Flowers are collected in a powerful brush with unusual colors, can count up to 21 petals in a bud. Stretch up to 2.5 m in length.

Pacific group of hybrids. The bushes are sprawling, up to 2 meters in height. An ear without a peduncle reaches up to 100 cm. Terry buds, semi-double.

Delphinium Belladonna. Not at all like his brothers. Instead of a panicle in the form of a candle, they fall down.

Among the variety of species and varieties, you can choose your favorite, and grow them in a pot.

Hybrid crops are grown in the garden. For the beauty of the buds, their density, frost resistance. Buy delphinium can be in a flower shop or ordered through an online store.

Pictured Belladonna Delphinium

Here they come from nurseries. Seedlings can be delivered directly to the house by courier. New Zealand hybrids are especially popular among gardeners today.

Diseases and pests of delphinium

Powdery Mildew A favorable environment for fungal disease is rainy, cool weather. Symptoms of the disease: stem, leaves are covered with a touch of grayish-white.

Over time, the plaque becomes brown, which ultimately leads to destruction. In wet weather, you should sprinkle ash on the soil, carry out preventive spraying.

Do not plant bushes too thickly, remove faded and excess shoots on time. In case of damage, use Topaz and treat the bushes. Pull out heavily damaged bushes and burn them.

Ramuliaiosis of the leaves. Symptoms: brown spots appear on the leaves on both sides. This leads to drying and premature subsidence. Fight: treat the bush with fungicides, and collect and burn fallen and diseased leaves.

Black bacterial spotting. The leaves of the bush are covered with black spots. Moreover, the shape and size are very different. Infection passes from the bottom and rises up.

Pictured Ajax Dolphinium

The plant can be saved in the first stage, if treated with tetracycline. To do this, dissolve one tablet of the drug in 1 liter of water and spray. All infected parts are collected to prevent the infection from remaining in the area.

Ring spotting. Symptoms: stems and leaves are affected. On the surface, spots are clearly marked by a ring. Unfortunately, this infection does not survive.

Therefore, you need to select all the bushes that managed to get infected, tear out and burn The carriers are aphids. It is with her that one must fight and do preventive spraying.

The fly is delphinium. The insect attacks the buds, where it lays eggs, with the subsequent development of larvae. Those, in turn, feed on petals. As a result, pestles and stamens are destroyed. The buds crumble without giving seeds. Timely sprayed with insecticides.

Slug. Seedlings are most damaged by pests. The fight against them begins far before landing:

They dig up areas where substances that impede the movement of pests are filled up: egg shells, gravel, etc.

Mineral fertilizers are sprinkled on them in 2 sets with an interval of 10 minutes.

They treat the site with insecticides.

Use traps.

Apply repellers. As they set banks with bleach on the site with.

Delphinium is one of the most favorite and desired garden plants. Slender, with bright emerald leaves, impresses with flowering columns and delight the eye. Differs in height, harmony and magnificence. Known to people since ancient times.

According to one legend, the gods turned the gifted young sculptor into a dolphin just because he revived the sculpture of the deceased girl with whom he was in love. Every evening, the dolphin swam to the shore with a bouquet in his mouth, and in memory of his love, he threw this flower at the girl’s feet.

The second myth tells of the battle under the walls of Troy. The arrow that hit Achilles' heel injured him. Fallen drops of blood gave birth to these magnificent flowers. According to Russian beliefs, they have healing properties and help the fast healing of bones in fractures and injuries. Most peoples called the delphinium a spur because the top petal of its bud looks like a spur.

And now many admire the mesmerizing sight of blooming dolphiniums, from afar reminiscent of multi-colored stella soaring up. The genus delphinium, fern, or Zhivostok combines about 400 species of herbaceous annuals and perennials, forming massive endless cluster or panicled inflorescences, which are valued for continuous flowering.

Delphinium Description

Wild delphinium lives in all corners of the world, belongs to the family of buttercups. Elegant, branched, hollow inside the stems reach a height of 2 m. The leaves are rounded, slate-palmate-dissected. The color of the buds is ultramarine, blue, purple, pink, lilac, white. Simple flowers consist of five petals, and in double flowers their number is increased due to modified stamens. An unopened dolphinium bud looks like the head or body of a dolphin - hence its name.

It blooms in June and again, with proper care, in August. All varieties and hybrids of delphinium are used as a high-quality cutting crop - they stand in a vase for a long time. This magnificent flower will decorate any flower garden.

Outdoor delphinium cultivation

Delphinium prefers open areas, but in bright sunshine the petals can fade. A light midday shadow is only good for him. The location near the walls of buildings and fences will protect it from lodging from the wind, cover it from scorching rays.

These plants require fertilized, rich in organic matter, moisture-permeable soil, painstaking care. In damp places arrange drainage from expanded clay or make grooves for the outflow of excess moisture. Prefers loamy, friable soils with a neutral reaction. At one place they grow it for several years.

Planted in a sunny area or light shade. When preparing the soil for planting, organic and mineral fertilizers (phosphorus-potash) are applied. Throughout the entire period, water abundantly, periodically feed. The soil is constantly loosened and mulched with peat or compost, which helps to preserve moisture and serves as additional nutrition.

In spring, the weakest shoots are cut, which are used for cuttings. Stimulate the formation of new flowers, regularly removing fading inflorescences. Tall plants need reliable support, because the stems break easily even with a slight wind. In the autumn, perennial species are pruned under the root and spudded so that water does not get into the hollow stems, since this can lead to the death of the plant. If pruning is done in spring, simply break the stems to close the cavity inside.

Reproduction of the delphinium by dividing the bush

The most reliable and productive way. This is done with a planned transplant in the spring before the start of the growing season. The dug root is cut into pieces, each of which has a growth point and a spine. Slices are dried, sprinkled with ash. Place them at a distance of at least 40 cm from each other in pre-prepared wells.

You can divide the plant without digging after the appearance of sprouts or after flowering. For this, a shovel is thrust into the place of the desired incision until it stops. The part that they want to plant is dug up around the circumference, carefully pulled out and transferred to the desired area. Pour fresh nutrient soil into the vacant place. All carefully watered, shaded until they take root.

Growing delphinium from seeds for seedlings and sowing in soil

Annuals and biennials are propagated by sowing seeds in autumn and spring. Seeds quickly lose their germination - when buying, you should pay attention to the timing - the closer to the extreme date, the less likely to get seedlings. To stimulate germination, you can treat the seeds with a solution of hydrogen peroxide (1 teaspoon per 100 ml of water) for 30 minutes.

Seeding for seedlings

When to sow delphinium? In late March - early April, seedlings, containers or individual cups are prepared. Seeds are large enough to plant them one at a time without any problems.

Prepare nutritious loose soil, the soil mixture is perfect for flowering.
Containers or cups must have drainage holes.
Seeding depth 0.5-1 cm.
The distance between the seeds is at least 2-3 cm when sowing in a common container.
Moisturize moderately, it is possible from the atomizer, so that there is no excess moisture.
Cover with a film and air daily, removing condensate.
When shoots appear, it is better to remove the film.
When 2-3 true leaves appear, plants are dived in separate cups.
Seedlings need to be tempered a couple of weeks before planting in the ground. Take it to fresh air, let it get used to the sun and wind. When she can spend the night, the plants are ready for planting.

It is necessary to transplant to a flower bed already at an established positive temperature with a night, in order to avoid freezing by night frosts. The distance between the bushes is 30-40 cm, so that the plants develop well.

Sowing in soil

Sown in late March - early April in a greenhouse to obtain flowering plants as early as the year of sowing or in May in open ground. You can sow them in the winter or winter in boxes that are buried under the snow for friendly shoots in the spring. Seedlings dive in the phase of 2-4 leaves, regularly watered and fed.

Plants of most varieties (if they are hybrids) grown from seeds may not convey the decorative qualities of their parents, so the seed method is rarely used. But with this method, you can get several colors that are different in quality. Most hybrids are propagated by cuttings taken from the lower part of the stalk in early spring.

Propagation of delphinium by cuttings

Young shoots about 10 cm long. The lower sections are treated with a stimulator of root formation. For this purpose, you can use a regular agave. The bottom sheet is torn from an adult plant and placed in a refrigerator for 5 days. After that, several drops of juice are squeezed out of it and the lower parts of the cuttings are moistened with them, which are then placed in containers with well-moistened sand or vermiculite. You can use rootin and similar drugs.

The containers are covered with transparent lids or placed in a plastic bag to maintain sufficient moisture. The appearance of young leaves indicates successful rooting. The grown seedlings are transferred to a permanent place at the end of summer to give them the opportunity to finally root before the onset of cold weather. Usually, dolphiniums tolerate midwinter winters well, only young seedlings need shelter from dry peat, moss or sawdust.

Pests and delphinium diseases

Delphinium is a rather delicate plant, prone to attack by leaf-eating insects. Some diseases cause yellowing, deformation of the leaves. Among the diseases, powdery mildew and some rot are dangerous; to limit the spread of diseases, they resort to disinfecting the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate.

The defeat of Fusarium and bacterial diseases that cause cancer and rot, leads to wilting of plants. When they appear, treat the plants with special fungicides. Aphids that suck plant juice contribute to the spread of viral diseases. Thrips provoke the formation of silver spots on leaves and flowers.

Damage is also caused by winged scoops, which are disposed of with the help of special insecticides. To prevent the fight against insects and diseases, ammonia is used (2 tablespoons per 10 liters of water) or tar water (1 tablespoon of pharmacy birch tar is mixed in 5 liters of water, a little laundry soap is added to this mixture), the solutions of which are watered by the plants themselves and the earth around.

These agents scare away many insects, and ammonia also serves as an excellent additional non-root top dressing. Due to its toxicity, the delphinium was almost never used as a medicine in ancient times, only in the Middle Ages, doctors used its tincture to heal wounds. In magic it was used as protection against a love spell or as a talisman.

The dried-up blue delphinium flower was worn in a small pouch or incense on the neck, protecting it from prying eyes. It was believed that such a talisman served as protection against nightmares and insomnia. All varieties of delphinium are ideal for cutting. This is a very effective plant used for planting in groups, on flowerbeds, discounts, mixborders and in single plantings on the background of a lawn or buildings. And as a solitary plant, he is excellent.

Types of delphinium with photos and descriptions

Numerous hybrids are divided into three large groups ‘belladonna’, ‘pacific’, ‘upright’. The latter includes most of the perennials planted in our gardens. They have delightful compact inflorescences from simple, semi-double or double flowers.

Delphinium belladonna

Beladonna delphinium reaches a height of 0.9-1.2 m. The erect perennial has beautiful spike-shaped flowers. Has loose, branching inflorescences, grows rapidly and blooms for a long time.

Delphinium high Delphinium elatum

Perennial stable specimen 70 cm high, with deeply dissected leaves, azure buds.

Delphinium field Delphinium consolida

Annual plant up to 2 m high.

Large-flowered Delphinium Delphinium grandiflorum

A herbaceous plant with a shortened rhizome up to 100 cm tall.

Delphinium hybrid Delphinium hybrids

Delphinium pacific giant Delphinium Pacific Giants photo of flowers in the garden

The hybrids of the ‘pacific’ (Pacific) group include numerous annuals and biennials. As a flower culture, the most common hybrid delphinium, obtained by crossing different species among themselves. Modern varieties vary in shape, size of leaves and flowers, as well as the height of the bushes. Pacific hybrids are less adapted to cold winters, require more careful care. Even in much warmer Europe, they are grown as biennials.

New Zealand hybrids are characterized by excellent frost resistance, unpretentiousness in care and long flowering - this is an excellent option for decorating a suburban area.

Marfinsky hybrids are very popular among gardeners, because they are perfectly adapted to the realities of our weather. By quality, decorative indicators, they are not inferior to foreign varieties. They form neat bushes that produce large panicles of inflorescences of a columnar-shaped form with semi-double flowers of various colors; from afar they attract attention with their splendor.

Delphinium - a poisonous plant

All parts of the plant, because they contain an alkaloid, widely used in medicine. If swallowed, they can cause a serious upset gastrointestinal tract. And contact with leaves, especially in people with especially sensitive skin, causes skin irritations and allergic dermatitis. Therefore, when working with the delphinium, it is necessary to protect the hands and bare parts of the body from juice.

One of the brightest representatives of tall perennials is the spectacularly blooming delphinium. It attracts attention with its unusual shape and rare shades of flowers: pink, blue, pale white. Growing from seeds will require experience and knowledge. In general, the requirements for caring for the delphinium are the same as for other subtropical flowers. It can be sown in open ground in the fall, but most gardeners recommend planting seedlings at the end of winter at home to hedge flowers from unstable snow cover and prolonged spring.

Short description

The delphinium from the buttercup family is also called fern. There are both annual and perennial varieties of it. Florists love the plant for a very beautiful flowering and increased endurance. Delphinium grows well even in darkened places, painlessly tolerates mild frosts. However, the cultivation of this culture is time-consuming, so it is not often possible to meet it in gardens and flower beds.

Important! Delphinium is a herbaceous plant in which all parts are poisonous. Once in the human body, the toxin inhibits the central nervous system, disrupts the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract. All actions to care for this exotic flower are recommended to be done with special protective gloves!

Where is it better to purchase seed

Only experienced gardeners and breeders can properly store the seeds of exotic plants. You should know that you can’t keep them at room temperature, because they lose their viability. It is best to place the planting material in the refrigerator or special chambers in which the temperature does not exceed zero degrees.

Delphinium seeds sold in stores or in markets, in most cases (60-80%) do not germinate. And the fault here is not the gardener who planted them in the wrong substrate or applied the wrong fertilizer - the matter is in the seeds themselves. In non-specialized retail outlets, sellers do not adhere to the technology for storing exotic flowers. Having packed the seeds in paper bags, they simply place them in a warm place. As a result, there are no expenses, the money spent disappears.

A good option would be if you buy delphinium seeds from people who breed them. It is necessary to cut brown boxes from healthy and sufficiently developed bushes. The pronounced dark brown color indicates the maturity of planting material. You can break the boxes, in which brown spots have just begun to appear, but then they need to be put in a cool room and maintained until the color changes completely.

From ripened boxes, the seeds must be gently poured onto a sheet of paper, dried and placed in a glass container. The jar needs to be put in the refrigerator or freezer or taken out to the veranda / balcony. Thus, seeds can be stored for 15 years. Then you need to "wake up" the delphinium, i.e. carry out stratification.

When to plant for seedlings

You can sow these exotic flowers:

in autumn, as soon as flower seeds are collected;
in the winter - in the open (after freezing soil);
if the delphinium is grown from seeds for seedlings at home, then it is better to plant it in the second half of February.

Preparation of materials

In order to grow seedlings, seeds and soil of a certain composition will be required. Also, growth stimulants that will make the stratification process more successful will not interfere.

Stratification

In order for the plants to grow well-developed, luxurious flowers, it is recommended to properly prepare the seeds. For this:

Prepare a disinfectant solution from potassium permanganate or fungicide (Fitosporin, Maxima) diluted with water according to the instructions in the instructions.
Place the seeds in a tissue bag and immerse it in a working solution for 20 minutes.
Remove, rinse off any remaining disinfectant under running water.
Put on a small plate and soak in decanted water. The liquid should not be too much, it is necessary to add 2-3 drops of a growth stimulator (Zircon, Epina).
After one day, drain the liquid, and lay the seed on a damp cloth with a thin layer.
Roll the fabric and place it in a plastic container.
Put the container in the refrigerator and periodically add 10-20 ml of water to it. It should cover only the lower part of the fabric roll. With excessive amounts of liquid, the seeds will rot.
An alternative to water is moist moss, which transfers fabric rolls with seeds, and then put the material in the refrigerator.
Stratification lasts a week, and when the embryos hatch, move the workpiece to the windowsill and hold it under the phytolamps for a couple of days.
Plant the sprouted delphinium in an open area or in containers filled with fertile soil.

The described method is suitable for planting seedlings in February and is designed for cultivation at home.

Another way to prepare seeds:

Soak the seed in early spring and wrap in gauze.
Put in a plastic bag.
Bury in the ground.
After 1-2 weeks, remove and land in the ground.

The best time for this method is April, when the snow began to melt. Temperatures can range from –5-10 to + 3-6 ° C.

Priming

Planting a perennial delphinium requires preliminary soil preparation. It is necessary to take garden soil and mix with peat and humus in equal proportions. It is recommended to add a small amount of perlite to the mixture (0.5 cups per 5 liters of earth) to make the soil structure more loose. Also, this will save moisture in the soil.

Preliminary soil preparation includes not only the creation of a fertile substrate, but also its steaming for the purpose of disinfection. The procedure is carried out using a steam bath for one hour. Such soil will be completely safe for seed.

Sowing

Spread the delphinium seeds evenly over the prepared soil. Sown flowers should be sprinkled on top with fertile soil, the layer height should not exceed 3 mm. After that, lightly compact the soil so that when watering the seeds are not raised by water. In conclusion, it is necessary to evenly spray the dolphinium with warm water from the spray gun.

Advice! When planting granular seeds, use tweezers for convenience. And in order not to forget in the future where which variety was sown, it is recommended to stick labels with the names of the flowers on the containers.

Given that an exotic giant grows better in the dark, it is advisable to cover the crops with a special covering material, a black film or an ordinary plastic bag. It is allowed to simply place containers in the dark until the first shoots appear.

In order for the seeds to germinate well, it is not necessary to maintain a high temperature in the room, it is quite enough + 10 ° C. It is not worth it to raise the temperature to +20: it is likely to destroy future seedlings. Flowers are recommended to be tempered to increase their level of endurance to negative environmental factors. The procedure involves the alternation of the temperature regime - cold / heat.

Expect shoots after planting should be in 7-10 days. As soon as they appear, it will be necessary to remove the covering material. After the appearance of these leaves, the delphinium must be dived.

Features of picking delphinium from seeds

For the resettlement of sprouts, you can use the same substrate as when planting, but it is advisable to add 1 spoon of complex mineral fertilizer to it.

Dive Process:

After mixing the fertile soil with fertilizer, spread it into small containers, pots.
Moisten the ground and make a depression in the center.
Using a small spatula, carefully separate the seedlings from the seedling container.
Transplant them into prepared containers.
Sprinkle the plant roots with fertile soil to the root neck.
Water carefully, so as not to expose the young roots. If necessary, sprinkle them with earth.

After the plants get a little stronger, they need to be tempered in the fresh air. After two weeks of such events, the flowers are ready for transplanting into the open.

Popular varieties of delphinium

Among flower gardening lovers, the most popular varieties of delphinium are:

Marfinsky hybrids from Russian breeders who stand out with a high degree of winter hardiness and pronounced decorativeness. Stem height within 180 cm, inflorescences occupy 100 cm. Plants attract attention with their semi-double large flowers of various colors.
Hybrids belladonnabred as a result of crossing high and large-flowered varieties. This is a variety of Dutch selection, characterized by tallness, their height can reach 2 m. The inflorescences are short, branched (paniculate), consisting of 5-20 large flowers. Mostly, these are flowers with blue, blue or white eyes. The flowering period is long.
Elatum hybrids are tall plants, their height is 150-180 cm. The flowers are quite large, semi-double. Inflorescences are moderately dense, with a blue-blue color.
Pacific hybrids. Delphinium bred in the United States, has a high stem, large inflorescences and flowers. The bushes amaze with their luxury, can grow up to 6 years. Standard care, support required.
- The most popular hybrid with high decorativeness. The plant has very large dense inflorescences, the purest color of various tones. The New Zealand delphinium is not afraid of low temperatures, is durable, does not lose its original qualities during reproduction.

Delphinium is a real exotic decoration of any garden. Tall plants with large bright flowers immediately attract attention. To grow them from seeds at home, it is enough to adhere to the basic rules of agricultural technology.

Delphinium is a herbaceous plant with lush inflorescences. It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family and has a fairly wide habitat: Africa, China, Southeast Asia, Europe, North America. Perennial delphinium is called spur or larkspur, and one-year dolphin. This flower is associated with a romantic story that a young man who revived a statue was turned by the gods into a dolphin. To console her beloved, the dolphin brought the girl beautiful flowers of shades of the sea. All species plants bloom in blue, purple and blue. Shades of pink, yellow or white appeared in hybrids as a result of selection.

Plant description

Delphinium is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant with a height of 10 cm to 3 m. Its rhizome is rod-shaped, with many thin lateral processes. The stem in the form of a hollow tube with fleshy edges grows vertically. Usually it is slightly branched, but pinching gives a good branching effect.

Petiole leaves on the shoot grow again. They have an arcuate structure and are deeply dissected into oval segments with a pointed edge and uneven teeth on the sides. There may be 3-7.

The flowering period begins in late June and lasts 20-25 days. Flowers adorn the top of the stem and are collected in panicled (3-15 flowers) or pyramidal (50-80 flowers) inflorescences. Their length can reach 1 m. Some species exude a pleasant sweetish aroma.

Small flowers have an irregular structure, but all of them are characterized by the presence of a spur - a narrow hollow outgrowth in which there are 2 nectaries. It is for this sweet liquid that insects or hummingbirds fly in while pollinating plants. An ocellus of a lighter yellow or cream color is formed in the center of the corolla.

After pollination, the fruits of the leaflet ripen. They contain oblong seeds with a wrinkled dark brown surface. They retain the ability to germinate up to 4 years. In 1 g of planting material are 600-700 units.

Like most members of the Buttercup family, the delphinium is poisonous! After working with it, wash your hands thoroughly. Also, it is not allowed to eat any parts of the plant by animals and children.

Types and varieties of delphinium

All varieties of delphinium, and there are about 370 of them, can be divided into annual (40 species) and perennial (300-330 species) plants. More than 100 of them grow on the territory of Russia.

Annual grasses with shoots 180-200 cm high in the middle of summer bloom pyramidal inflorescences with simple or double flowers of pink, white, lilac, blue hues. Flowering continues until the end of summer.

Annuals with a height of not more than 50-80 cm have a branched vertical stem with easy pubescence. Ternate leaves with linear lobes grow on it. The flowers are not too large, they are grouped into dense brushes and bloom in July-August. Petals have a rich blue or blue color.

Plants live in Central Asia and reach a height of 1-3 m. The stems and leaves are covered with a sparse pile. The foliage is bright green. In June, bright dense brushes of 10-60 blue buds bloom for 3 weeks.

Hybrid delphiniums are most often found in culture. They are based on the last two species. There are a lot of varieties. Some of them are combined into whole groups. The most striking of them:

Delphinium New Zealand. Plants with a height of about 2 m spread semi-double and double flowers with a diameter of 7-9 cm. Varieties are resistant to colds and diseases (Giant, Roksolana).
Belladonna (blue delphinium). One of the first plant groups obtained. Often blooms twice a year. Pyramidal inflorescences have a rich purple or blue color and consist of simple flowers with a diameter of up to 5 cm (Piccolo, Balaton, Lord Battler).
Delphinium Pacific. The varietal group was obtained at the beginning of the 20th century by selection of seedlings, therefore, during seed propagation it retains maternal characters. Plants are distinguished by large, variously colored flowers with a contrasting eye. They are quite vulnerable to disease and short-lived (Lancelot, Summer Skyes, Black night).
Delphinium scottish. Varieties are distinguished by super double beautiful flowers. Coloring is pink, purple, blue (Flamenco, Moonlight, Crystal shine).
Blueberry pie. Very unusual variety with spectacular super terry inflorescences. Blue petals are located on the outer edge, above them are several rows of corrugated purple, and the core is represented by a pistachio crown.

Breeding methods

Delphinium reproduces equally well by seeds, division of the bush and cuttings. The seed method allows you to immediately get a large number of plants, but it is recommended to buy planting material in stores, as many varietal plants and hybrids do not transmit decorative characters to offspring. Long-term germination remains only when storing seeds in a cool place, for example, in the refrigerator.

A prerequisite for germination is stratification, planting is carried out in February, in pots with a mixture of equal parts of compost, sand, garden soil and peat. The soil mixture should be disinfected. Before planting, the seeds are disinfected in a strong solution of potassium permanganate and slightly dried. They are placed at a depth of 3 mm and sprayed with clean, cool water. For germination, seeds need darkness, so the container is covered with an opaque material and kept at a temperature of + 10 ... + 15 ° C. After 2-4 days, it is transferred for a day to the refrigerator or to an unheated balcony (cooling to -5 ° C is allowed).

After 10-15 days, seedlings appear. From this moment, immediately remove the film and regularly moisten the soil. Healthy saturated green sprouts with 2-3 leaves dive in separate pots. Seedlings should be kept at temperatures up to + 20 ° C. The soil is moistened with great care and the top layer is loosened, as the seedlings are susceptible to infection by the black leg. On warm days it is exposed to fresh air. In April-May, before transplanting into the open ground, the plants manage to be fed 1-2 times with a solution of universal mineral fertilizer.

In spring or already in September, at the end of flowering, the delphinium can be divided. This procedure is recommended for plants older than 8-10 years. The bush is completely dug up and with great care they release the rhizome from the soil. Then the shoots are cut into several parts, trying not to even touch the growth points. Slices are treated with charcoal. Delenki immediately planted in a new place and sprinkled with soil mixed with compost, humus and ash. Delphinium suffers a transplant rather hard, so the first time it will hurt and wither, which means it will need more thorough care.

Propagation by green cuttings is considered the most time-consuming, therefore it is used only in rare cases. As cuttings use shoots 5-8 cm long, cut from young plants. The slice is made as close to the soil as possible. It is important that no dirt enters the internal cavity. The stem is treated with a growth stimulant and planted in loose fertile soil. The pot is kept in a warm room. When planting in open ground, the plant is covered with banks and protected from direct sunlight. After 2 weeks, make a solution of mineral fertilizers. In spring cuttings, by the beginning of autumn, full-fledged young plants will be ready, able to tolerate wintering on the street.

Landing and care

Dolphinium planting in open ground is planned for late spring, when stable warm weather is established. It is advisable to choose partial shade areas that are well lit in the morning. For each plant, a hole is prepared with a depth and width of 40 cm. The distance, depending on the height of the plant, is 50-70 cm. Half a bucket of sand, compost, ash and mineral fertilizer are poured onto the bottom of each hole. Then they lay out ordinary garden soil so that top dressing does not touch the root. Landing is carried out to the depth of the root system. The soil is compacted and watered abundantly. Within 5-7 days, seedlings are best kept under plastic or glass jars.

Delphinium should be watered only in the absence of precipitation. For him, a slight drought is preferable than stagnation of moisture at the roots. The surface of the soil is regularly loosened and weeds removed. In the spring it is better to mulch the surface.

Regular top dressing is very important for long and plentiful flowering. On fertile soil, they are applied three times a year: for the first time, when the shoots of the plant reach a height of 15-20 cm, repeatedly during the budding period and the last time the flowers begin to wilt. You can use mineral complexes (superphosphate, nitrate) or organics (mullein, compost).

Delphinium shoots must be cut periodically, then they will branch better and form a thicker bush. It is worth the vegetation to reach a height of 30 cm, it is shortened by 10 cm. Withered inflorescences are also removed in a timely manner. In this case, the onset of repeated flowering is likely. Sufficiently thin stems with high growth can break and lie down, so pegs are driven in near the bush and tied up.

In autumn, when the leaves fade, and the flowers and shoots dry, the shoot is cut to a height of 30-40 cm. Sections must be lubricated with clay so that water does not enter the cavity and the fungus does not develop. Garden delphiniums are resistant even to severe frosts (up to -35 ... -45 ° C). In particularly severe and snowless winters, it is recommended to cover the soil with straw and fallen leaves. It is not the cold that can cause the most damage, but the excess of moisture during snow melting; therefore, in the spring, dig grooves along the flower bed to drain the water.

The delphinium in culture is used to set bright accents, and high varieties in group linear plantings can serve for zoning the territory. Use it in the background of a flower garden, mixborder or rabatka. Lush dense inflorescences of decorative varieties can be combined, making up a variety of compositions.

By flowering time, delphiniums go immediately after irises and peonies, which must be taken into account to create a flower bed with continuous flowering. Roses, lilies, phloxes, daisies and carnations can make up a flower garden company. Large inflorescences are suitable for cutting and composing bouquet compositions.

When choosing plants for designer planting in flower beds of summer cottages and parks, gardeners often stop at the delphinium.

It is characterized by unpretentiousness in care and external beauty, which will allow you to grow a dolphinium in a variety of conditions.

A bit of history

Delphinium (Delphinium) is also called spur and larkspur. The latter is often found in colloquial speech. There are several versions of the appearance of such a name.

Some scholars speak of the similarity of a non-blooming flower with a dolphin, others note that in ancient Greece a huge number of delphinium was found in the city of Delphi, where the temple of Apollo Delphic was located and the Delphic oracle lived. In Russia, the word "spur" came from the similarity of an outgrowth-appendage with a cavalry spur.

The name “Larkspur” has a reference to the value of the plant in folk medicine: the tincture of the flower was used to heal wounds.

Interesting: in Russia, the name "delphinium" is usually used in fiction.

In total, about 450 species are known, of which 100 species grow in Russia, among them the most popular are perennial wildlife, high and annual field wildlife. The flower is common in northern countries and African tropics, many species grow in Asia, mainly in China.

It is worth noting that the indicated number of species is not accurate: due to the huge number of varieties and the difficulty in identifying common characters, some authors identify up to 1.2 thousand flower varieties. Other species are so few that they are threatened with extinction.

general information

Delphinium belongs to the Lyutikov family. Its dimensions are very diverse: some dwarf varieties do not grow more than 10 cm, other giant species reach 2.5-3 meters.

The stem is hollow inside, the leaves are large, dark green, sharp at the ends. Flowers consist of 5 petals, one of which has the above spike. Petals can grow in one or more rows, are simple and terry.

The inflorescence itself consists of several dozen flowers: in primitive species, the number does not exceed 15 pieces, in more developed species it reaches 80 pieces. In this case, the length of the inflorescence can reach a meter in length. Thanks to the heavy brushes in which small flowers are collected, the fern looks very beautiful and noble.

It is especially worth noting the color diversity of the delphinium: despite the fact that blue and blue shades are most often found in nature, in the gardens you can see purple, lilac, white and even pink, red or black flowers. You can see the variety of species and choose the most suitable option in the photo.

In the wild, the delphinium mainly grows in the mountains and easily tolerates low, up to -20 degrees, temperatures. Other varieties, by contrast, are heat resistant and are not demanding on dryness. Cultivars have all the benefits of wild "brothers."

Application

Mostly ferns are used in decorative horticulture: the Royal Horticultural Society has been breeding it since the 17th century. Also, some varieties were used as dyes.

Some species have also established themselves in medicine as painkillers and antimicrobials. They are also used as relaxants to increase muscle tone in nervous diseases: Parkinson's disease, traumatic paralysis, multiple sclerosis.

It's important to know: it must be remembered that fern is a poisonous plant, which in no case can be used independently.

In folk recipes, the flower is used for female, genitourinary or sexually transmitted diseases, digestive diseases, enlarged liver, jaundice, inflammation or pus of the eye.

Popular views

Leroy's Delphinium

Annual and perennial varieties are distinguished, however, most gardeners give preference to the second, as they do not require an annual “update”. Among the most popular, it is worth noting spurs with unusual colors of flowers:

Delphinium "Leroy". Heat-loving plant, characterized by a sweet smell and a greenish tint.
Delphinium "Astolat". It has large double and semi-double pink flowers.
Terry Delphinium. It blooms from late spring to late summer. Thanks to selection, you can find black, red and yellow shades.
Kashmir delphinium. Has purple flowers with a black core.
Delphinium "King Arthur". The owner of dark blue colors with a white middle.
Blue-faced delphinium. A plant of unusual color: its petals have a blue-green and bluish tint.
Delphinium "Bruno". It has blue-violet petals, but does not tolerate frosts.
Holostebelnaya delphinium. Low, not more than a meter in height, a variety having red-orange flowers. Extremely thermophilic, it is best to grow it in pots and clean it in a warm place for the winter.

Also worth noting are the varieties “Waltz”, “Ocean” and “Butterfly”, a hybrid “Belladonna”, a giant “Summer Sky”, “Blue Lace”, snow-white “Galahad”, light pink “Caroline”. Their descriptions are easy to find on the sites of garden centers.

Low-growing varieties are no less popular:

"Naples". Plant height up to 1.2 meters with large purple flowers;
Blue delphinium. Low, up to a meter, a plant that is best grown in pots. Flowers have a rich blue tint with a black middle. Extremely thermophilic, for the winter it is necessary to clean it;
Rare-flowered delphinium. Grows to 75 cm, blooms in the second half of summer, flowers are quite rare;
Short-Shaped Dolphinium. This is a frost-resistant plant up to 30 cm high. Distributed in Alaska, in the Arctic and in the north of Russia.

It is worth noting the pyramidal delphinium - due to its unpretentiousness, the variety is extremely popular and widespread. It tolerates up to 20 degrees of frost, and its roots are able to take root even on poor rocky soils. Flowering occurs from July to September. Sweethearts delphinium, as well as all New Zealand varieties with excellent health and unpretentiousness are no less in demand.

Landing

Despite the unpretentiousness, it is best to plant a flower in a neutral, fertile soil. Sour lands will not work: if the selected area is like this, it’s worth adding some lime or dolomite flour in the autumn to remove excess acid. It will also be useful to introduce manure or

Spurs love heat and sunlight, but there may be a problem with the wind: because of the thin leaves, the plant may break due to strong gusts. You will need to tie the stems or plant them next to the shelter.

Note: trees and bushes will not be suitable as a shelter - they will pull all the nutrients, which will negatively affect the growth of the delphinium.

In autumn, you need to dig the soil and fertilize it with mineral fertilizers. Planting of sprouts must be done in April-May, when frosts will pass. If the choice fell on frost-resistant varieties, you can plant them earlier. Usually, sprouts with several leaves are planted in open ground.

Consider the procedure for planting dolphinium in open ground:

It is necessary to dig a hole in the ground with a depth and diameter of about 40-50 cm, the distance between the holes should be about 60-70 cm;
You need to mix half a bucket of compost, 2 tablespoons of complex fertilizer and a glass of ash with the ground and fill up the hole completely;
In the resulting land, you need to make a small depression, plant a seedling in it and ram the ground, then water it.

If the seedlings are small and weak, cover them with the cut tops of the plastic bottles with the caps removed. This will help create a greenhouse effect. After 2-3 weeks, when the delphinium takes root and begins to grow, the bottles are removed.

Basic care

Despite the fact that the fern is not particularly whimsical, it requires compliance with certain conditions that will allow you to get an excellent result:

Delphinium requires regular, but moderate watering 1-2 times a week for 2-3 buckets of water per adult plant. If the summer is rainy, watering can be ruled out altogether.
Delphinium will require 3 top dressings per summer. At the end of April, for example, a solution of a bucket of cow dung in 10 buckets of water is needed - this will help strengthen growth and development. In early summer, when buds begin to appear, potassium and phosphorus fertilizers with a small amount of nitrogen will be required. The last time top dressing is necessary after the flowers fall. It is necessary to use potassium and phosphorus mixtures without nitrogen content - this will help achieve seed maturation.
It is necessary to thin out the delphinium when the plant reaches 20-30 cm. 3-5 stems are left on one bush, removing the rest. This will form a beautiful large-flowered hat. The excess is cut off near the ground itself.

Gardener Tip: timely thinning will not only improve the appearance of the bush, but also help to remove infected or weak areas.

In order for the delphinium not to break, it is necessary to put a support for it: it is installed when the flower reaches half a meter in height. It is bandaged after reaching a height of one meter. The height of the support should exceed the flower itself and be no shorter than 1.8-2 meters.
If seeds are not needed, after flowering is completed, prune the stems at a height of about 30 cm, without waiting for the seeds to form. After trimming, so that water does not get into the hollow stems, the cut is smeared with clay. You can also leave the delphinium uncroped and just collect the seeds.

Wintering

Spur is a frost-resistant plant and easily survives mild winters without special tricks.

Before the start of autumn rains, it is worth lubricating the section with clay so that the water that has got in does not cause rot.

For winter, the beds should be covered with spruce branches or straw. It is much more dangerous for the plant to change temperatures and melt snow, as rhizomes can suffer.

To avoid this, before planting in the pit, add sand or broken stone: this will help to remove excess moisture.

Low plants, planted in pots, it is enough to bring in a cool, sheltered from snow room.

Breeding

You can grow in different ways:

With the help of seeds. After harvesting, the seeds retain excellent germination properties for 4 years, but after that they are practically useless. Before planting, it is necessary to place the seeds in the cold for several weeks, for example, in the vegetable section of the refrigerator - this will help harden the seeds. Then they are planted in a container using standard peat soil. Delphinium seeds do not need much deepening, just lightly sprinkle them with earth and pour from the spray gun. Glass must be placed on the container to create a greenhouse effect.

In a few days, when the seeds germinate and sprouts appear, they can be thinned. In early May, they can be planted on open ground.

By division. Spend after the second flowering. In the autumn after pruning, the bush is carefully dug up and divided into 2 parts, the places of the cuts are sprinkled with ash or coal and again they are buried at a distance from each other.
With the help of cuttings. The procedure has its own subtleties and is mainly carried out in the middle of spring or autumn, when the delphinium does not bloom. To do this, cut a part of the handle (about 15 cm) with a piece of root (about 2-3 cm) with a sharp tool. It is transplanted into a separate pit or tub and watered abundantly until the spur takes root.

You may also be interested in an article about caring for dracaena at home:

Good to know: after dividing, the flower can weaken and become sick, and bacteria can penetrate through the cut - for this, it is recommended to sprinkle the place of the cut with crushed coal.

The latter option is most preferred for several reasons:

Being a part of the bush, the stalk is used to the terrain and adapts to it more easily;
The main bush practically does not suffer from division, if it is protected from infection;
In this way, you can easily grow a dolphinium in one place, constantly updating the bushes.

In order for the reproduction to go smoothly, it’s worthwhile to watch a video in advance about how this is done.

Diseases and Pests

Any problems are easier to prevent than to treat. The delphinium has few enemies, which timely care and prevention will help get rid of. Among the enemies of the plant stand out:

Fungal diseases: powdery mildew and ramularis leaf. To prevent, it is necessary to monitor the absence of excess water and carry out spraying.

Bacteriological diseases: black and annular spotting. If infected leaves and branches are found, they must be removed immediately and the leaves sprayed.
Pests: among insects, aphids, delphinium flies and various caterpillars devouring leaves and seeds are especially harmful. To combat them, insecticides must be used.

Despite some difficulties in care, the delphinium remains quite popular and in demand in gardening. Due to the large and bright colors, fern is often found in the landscape of parks and summer cottages. Before buying seeds, you should look at the pictures in advance to choose the one you like best.

What varieties are best for planting in your garden, see the following video: