February 16, 2011 Delphinium Inspired Flower Beds
This garden features Delphinium elatum Sweethearts with Delphinium elatum Sunny Skies. These are three year old plants grown from seed.
When I posted my last blog about Delphiniums, I was contacted by Lorraine Roberts of Plant Paradise Country Gardens™ who was proud to inform me that she grows and sells Delphinium elatum from seeds that she imports from New Zealand.
Some readers may remember that I have already blogged about this variety of Delphinium, developed by plant breeder Terry Dowdeswell in New Zealand. Because traditional Delphinium are short lived, he worked to find a strain that was robust and hardier. The result was elatum, a variety that offers longevity and hardiness, growing in climates as cold as Zone 3 [that would be zone 4, USDA].
Delphinium elatums combine with Persicaria polymorpha, daylilies, erigeron, oxalis triangularis, iris pumila 'Baria', Asiatic lily 'Fangio', Malva, and miscanthus gigantheus.
Unfortunately, it is not conceivable to ship plants from New Zealand to North America. Consequently, several nurseries on this side of the globe have been successfully growing elatum from Dowdeswell seeds.
Delphinium elatums combine with Persicaria polymorpha, daylilies, verbascum, iris, Japanese Anemone 'Pamina", Silene armeria, Asiatic lily 'Fangio', and Painted Daisies.
Lorraine’s growing and selling facility, Plant Paradise Country Gardens™ is an organic perennial nursery, destination garden centre and display garden. Readers living in the Greater Metropolitan Toronto area, might like to know that, by car, it is located only 45 minutes north of the intersection of Highways 401 and 427, at 16258 Humber Station Road in Caledon Ontario, 905-880-9090. It is open from April to October, Wednesday to Sunday 9:00am to 5:00pm and there is a Google map on the website for further directions.
Delphinum elatum Sunny Skies with Sweethearts
Delphiniums are such outstanding perennials that at Plant Paradise Country Gardens™ they celebrate Delphinium Day in July with festivities that include a catered lunch, a guest speaker, door prizes and guided tours of the gardens. Tickets are available at their website www.plantparadise.ca.
Delphinium elatum Purple Passion
Delphiniums bloom in all shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. They begin flowering, in full sun, by the end of June and continue for 4 to 6 weeks. At this nursery, when the blooms have finished, they cut down the plants to about three to six inches from the ground so that they will start re-blooming again in September and last until frost.
Delphinium elatum Morning Lights
All of the Delphiniums in the photos are staked. That care advisory is a must otherwise strong rain and wind will crack the stem of the plant. Unlike other perennials whose bent stems are sometimes no impediment to blooming, the delphinium flower experiences instant death upon cracking and there will be no additional blooms on that stem until the next season.
Delphinium elatum Royal AspirationsSome gardeners with small gardens may think they can only grow small plants. This is not so because the Delphinium gives a small garden height, which gives it the illusion of a larger garden without sacrificing space.
All images are the copyright property of Plant Paradise Country Gardens™and are used with their permission.
Delphinium elatum, Delphinium elatum Morning Lights, Delphinium elatum Purple Passion, Delphinium elatum Royal Aspirations, Dowdeswell, Flower beds, Gardening, Plant paradise Country Gardens, delphiniums, garden design, organic nursery, perennials in Garden Design, Garden Inspiration Photos, Perennial Plants Email Article Print Article Share Article
Reader Comments (12)
Allan, When you posted that link, I experienced a little thrill, learning it was just a short drive away. Delphiniums are such spectacular flowers, and I'll be you particularly liked the blue one. I'll check out the nursery. Thanks.
I ordered seeds for Pagan Purples and Green Twist from Dowedeswell a couple of years ago and have been enjoying all the plants that grew. This week I visited their website and noticed that they're developing cute little 2-foot tall delphs, which will be nice for the front of the border. I love it that I get 2 bloom flushes from delphs - one in June and another in Sept. A friend who grew delphs in mild California would get 4-5 flushes each season (that's what super-long growing seasons gets you!).
Oh, that last blue one is to die for! Delphiniums give the garden such punch. I don't think they will grow here - too hot - but I'm going to double-check. They are beautiful.
Wow!!!! such beautiful flowers...like symbols of beauty...i really like it..thanks for the posting.:)
Minnesota Landscape
I've always passed on delphiniums knowing my poor draining soil would most likely kill them. Any luck ever growing them in containers?
John,
I've never grown perennials in containers due to the cold winters, here. However, if you treat them as annuals, I can't think of a reason not to grow them. For several seasons now, some container designers have been using perennials to diversify the "look" of their pots. Growers are encouraging that practice because disposable perennials are good for business.
Sigh, these gorgeous plants I admire from afar. They would soon perish in our summer heat. I once planted delphiniums before I knew better. The results were ugly. Sigh.
Oooooo....gotta have some these.....you make them sound like the garden is not complete unless they grow some.
Delphinium is very beautiful flower
it is amazing that you are able to grow it !
I also love delphiniums and especially the New Millennium Series. But, a correction is needed to the article...The hybridizer is Terry Dowdeswell not Tony Dowdeswell as the article states.
Valleyrimgirl,
Thank you for bringing the error to my attention. The text above has been corrected.
Allan
www.delphinium.co.nz
Any question you could possibly have about delphs will be answered here! Dodswells is exclusively delphiniums, they have pages and pages of comments and photographs the customers from across the globe have sent to them. They are very open to correspondence if you can not find what you need to learn. YES, THEY CAN BE GROWN IN CONTAINERS! a very throrough page long explaination of soil,container size and watering. From what I skimmed it seems to dwarf the plants somewhat tho they remain vigorous and bloom length does not suffer.