Delphinium Hybrids

Delphinums are some of the first of the hardy perennials to show signs of growth in the early spring. When the shoots are around 5" to 6" high, thinning will almost certainly be required for a good show, not only will this process improve the quality of the remaining spikes but it will also improve the plant as a whole for future years.

Cultivation

Adequate water is vital for these plants, so a mulch will go a long way to meet this need and can be supplemented with watering during the season. A general organic fertiliser spread around the area during early spring should be enough for most plants, you can give some liquid feed if extra tall plants are required.

Your plants will also need staking, the best way to achieve this is to use three canes in the form of a triangle, splayed out at the top where they meet the flower spikes, it's also best to make sure the ties at the top are loose so enabling the spikes to sway about in the wind and not snap.

Pests

Slugs and snails are the main source of damage to Dephiniums. There are of course plenty of chemicals on the market to combat these, however most are damaging to wildlife. Aluminium sulphate, is a safe and effective chemical, best applied as a solution. Dissolve 2oz for every gallon of water and saturate the soil around each crown, try not to wet the foilage as this chemical is caustic. Start applying around February, again in March and finally April, this usually is sufficient. Another advantage of Aluminium sulphate to ordinary but more toxic slug pellets, is that the eggs of these pests are also destroyed. Finally, a word about slugs and snails themselves, We admired the patterns and shapes of many of the snail shells that abounded in our garden down south, and even introduced the banded snail into the garden because of its lovely patterned shells. So, we did not wage all out war against them, just in certain places and near certain plants.

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