The larkspur, which usually blooms in strong blue, violet or white tones and can be seen magnificently from afar, is a very popular plant. Delphinium, as the gardener also calls the delphinium, actually flowers in the summer months and then develops numerous seeds in its follicles. A targeted pruning can, however, stimulate the plant to flower again in autumn.

Cutting back after flowering encourages delphiniums to flower a second time

Cut back delphiniums after summer flowering

For a beautiful autumn bloom, you should cut back the withered panicles of delphiniums immediately in summer. However, you must not cut too deep, otherwise the plant will no longer sprout. A cut above the leaves at a height of 20 to 30 centimeters above the ground is usually given as a guideline. Use a clean and sharp knife or pruning shears for the cut.

collect seeds

If you do not carry out this pruning, the plant will develop up to three narrow follicles per flower, from which you can then collect the seeds in autumn. This procedure is recommended if you are dealing with delphiniums that are only one to two years old (which usually do not flower a second time) or if you want to propagate perennial specimens.

Do a fall pruning

If you have carried out the summer pruning and the delphinium shows its flowers in autumn, wait with the last autumn pruning until the late flowers have faded. Depending on when the second flowering has taken place, this may well not be the case until November. In autumn, cut Delphinium back to just above the ground, the plant will withdraw into its rhizomes for the winter anyway. The above-ground parts of the plant die off and only offer a gateway to unwanted pathogens.

What to do with discolored leaves?

If there are certain signs of disease, you should act immediately and cut back and dispose of affected parts of the plant immediately. This is the case when

  • the leaves turn black
  • the leaves are covered with brown to black spots
  • Leaves and shoots appear to be covered with a white coating.

In all cases, larkspur is infested with highly contagious fungal and bacterial diseases that must be contained immediately. Otherwise there is a risk of further infection, including from neighboring plants. Please never put infected plant parts in the compost, but dispose of them with the household waste.

tips and tricks

Pruning measures should be carried out on all plants on overcast, mild days if possible. This measure prevents dehydration and also ensures that patients are less stressed.

Category:

Vegetable garden