Delphinium
(Delphinium elatum)
DESCRIPTION:
This is a large group of very beautiful annuals and perennials commonly
called Larkspurs. The original or wild types from which the named varieties
are descended are natives of California, Siberia, Syria and India. The Delphiniums
mostly seen in gardens are hybrids of D. elatum and are clump-forming perennials
that bloom from early to mid-summer. Their leaves are divided, lobed, and range
from mid- to bright green. Hybrids of D. belladonna are also clump-forming perennials,
but with more thin, wiry stems that produce branched spikes of spurred flowers.
Dwarf annual Delphiniums are descended from D. Ajacis and tall annual Larkspurs
from D. Consolida. The height of the different varieties ranges from 3 to 8
feet, with some dwarf varieties only growing up to 18 inches high. The flowers
of these plants grow in long spikes. They are cup-shaped and may be single or
double with colors ranging from creamy-whites through lilac-pinks to dark indigo-blue,
usually with a contrasting "eye" formed by the inner sepals. D. 'Strawberry
Fair' has large, semi-double, mulberry-pink flowers with white eyes on plants
that grow 512 to 6 feet high. D. 'Sungleam' has large, semi-double, white overlaid
with pale yellow flowers with yellow eyes. D. 'Blue Nile' grows from 5 to 512
feet high and produces large, semi-double rich, dark blue flowers with blue-streaked
white eyes. D. grandiflorum 'Blue Butterfly' only grows 18 inches high and has
single, dark blue flowers, growing 112 inches across. They are produced in airy,
branching spikes up to 6 inches long. The bright green leaves are palmately
divided. D. 'Spindrift' is an interesting plant with large, semi-double flowers
that grow in 3-foot long spikes. They are a pinkish-lilac color overlaid with
pale blue with creamy-white eyes, which have a deep blue center. On acidic soils,
the petals become tinged with green. Other kinds will be described below in
the varieties section.
