Delphinium 'Blue Jay'
delphinium
- Position: full sun
- Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: June and July
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Dense spires of semi-double, deep blue flowers with black eyes appear June and July on tall stems with deeply cut, mid-green leaves. These towering delphiniums are shorter lived than many other varieties and look fantastic when grown as annuals or biennials in a cottage-garden scheme. Alternatively use them towards the back of a well-drained, sunny border, where they will add height and bold splashes of colour. As cut flowers, they last longer than most delphiniums. - Garden care: Protect young foliage against slug and snail damage in spring. Stake with bamboo canes in mid-spring, before the flowers appear. During the growing season, apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks and wearing gloves cut back the faded flower-stems to a flowering side-shoot to encourage repeat flowering. At the end of autumn cut back and compost the faded flower-stems.
- Harmful if eaten
Campanula glomerata 'Superba'
clustered bellflower
Rich purple flowers in June
Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt'
paeony / peony
Glorious very large double rose-pink flowers
Geranium sanguineum
bloody cranesbill
Magenta flowers. Good in acid soil
Astilbe 'Bressingham Beauty' (× arendsii)
false goatsbeard
Feathery plumes of pink flowers
Gaura lindheimeri 'Whirling Butterflies'
Gaura
Long-lasting, white flowers. Copes with drought
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When should I plant Delphiniums, Foxgloves and Hollyhocks, and what will I gett in a pot?
Hi there, I have a brand new, small, garden (approx. 36' by 30') and am in the process of creating borders. I'm aiming for fairly deep borders as I would like loads of cottage garden flowers. I am thinking of having a few evergreen / deciduous shrubs here and there to form some permanent interest. My gardening knowledge is more or less at the 'beginner' stage so I need some advice please. Is it okay to plant the shrubs now as long as the ground isn't frozen? When should I plant the perennials and annuals? Spring time? When I order for example Hollyhocks, Delphiniums and Foxgloves, and what do I get in the pot? Is it one plant that will produce one flowerhead? If I wanted to make a big colour impact, would I need to order loads of each plant? I look forward to hearing from you. Many thanks, LynnAsked on 12/10/2009 by Wilson Lynn1 answer
A:
Hello Lynn, You can plant any fully hardy plant at any time of the year
as long as the ground is not frozen, but the ideal times are spring or
autumn. Annuals only live for 1 year, some will flower in winter, while
others flower in summer, so the planting time will depend on what type
they are. As for the herbaceous perennials, these can be planted anytime
as long as they are hardy, you will get 1 plant per pot. Each plant and
species will produce flowers in different way. The ones you mention
will generally produce 1 main flowerspike and a couple of smaller
side-shoots, and if you cut them back when they start to fade you can
often encourage a second flush later in the year. Finally then, if you
want big impact, then yes you will need a lot of plants. I hope this
helps. Helen Plant DoctorAnswered on 12/11/2009 by Wilson Lynn
Q:
When should I plant Delphiniums?
I am interested in purchasing some Delphinium plants. When is the best time to buy and to plant? I live in Scotland and the winters here are both damp and cold.Asked on 11/25/2005 by alistair mackie1 answer
A:
As a rule hardy plants that are grown in containers, can be planted at any time of year as long as the soil isn't frozen solid. The best times are in the autumn when the soil is still warm enough to encourage root growth but the plant isn't in active growth, or the spring before the temperatures start to rise, however you can also plant throughout summer as long as you make sure the plant is kept well watered.Answered on 11/30/2005 by Crocus
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