Larkspur (Latin Delphinium) is a very popular garden perennial that catches the eye of the beholder with its racemose or paniculate inflorescences. Depending on the type and variety, the flowering plants reach a height of between 70 and 180 centimeters and a width of 30 to 60 centimetres. Most proven garden delphiniums reach an average height of between 120 and 150 centimeters. With the right care, the perennial will bloom all summer long.

Larkspur is a pretty easy-care perennial for your garden

Do I have to water Larkspur regularly?

During the growing season, you should water regularly, especially on hot days and dry periods.

How often should larkspur be fertilized?

Supply your delphiniums with a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants about every two to three weeks. However, this measure is only necessary if your garden soil is not rich in nutrients. If, on the other hand, you have very dark, humus-rich garden soil, fertilizing with compost, humus, etc. at the beginning of the season and another after summer pruning should suffice.

Should larkspur flowering shoots be supported?

When the flower shoots form, you need to support them with bamboo canes or other sticks. Only dwarf varieties can do without a support.

What is the best way to cut delphiniums?

It is best to thin out young perennials to two or three flowering shoots so that the plants do not exhaust themselves with excessive flowering. On older, established plants, on the other hand, you can leave five to seven flowering shoots. Otherwise, the delphinium is cut back to just above the ground after the second flowering in autumn.

Can I encourage delphiniums to flower a second time?

Yes, because plants cut back vigorously immediately after flowering often develop a second pile in September / October. To do this, cut off the faded flowering shoots to just above the ground.

How does delphinium reproduce?

How delphinium is best propagated depends on the variety. In principle, propagation is possible by sowing in spring (caution, delphinium is a cold germinator!) and by division in early spring or autumn and by half-lignified cuttings.

Is delphinium particularly susceptible to certain pests or diseases?

Larkspur is susceptible to snail damage (the shoots in particular must be protected from snails!), powdery mildew, spider mites, leaf miners and rust fungi. Larkspur mosaic virus occasionally occurs. However, as a rule, voracious snails and powdery mildew are the most common causes of problems.

Can delphiniums also be cultivated in a bucket?

With a sufficient supply of nutrients (i.e. long-term fertilizer and regular doses of liquid fertilizer), delphiniums also thrive in pots. A bucket culture is particularly useful when the soil in the garden is unsuitable or snails are a big problem.

Can I replant delphiniums that have been planted out?

Yes, even older specimens can be transplanted without any problems. Should such a measure be necessary, you can also make a division at the same time.

Is delphinium hardy?

Delphiniums planted in the garden are absolutely hardy.

How is delphinium overwintered?

No special protective measures need to be taken to overwinter perennial delphiniums. Only in the case of one- to two-year-old varieties should you leave the faded inflorescences so that the plants can sow themselves.

tips and tricks

Not only slug pellets (7.49€) and other chemical helpers protect against snails, but also thickly scattered sawdust around the plant. Slugs are also reluctant to overcome dry mulch (€239.00) made from crumbled horsetail. At the same time, the silicon-containing herb prevents fungal diseases (e.g. mildew).

Category:

Vegetable garden