Delphiniums are a group of flowering plants in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). They are native to the Northern Hemisphere and are found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, mountains, and woodlands. Delphiniums are tall, showy plants with tall spikes of colorful flowers. The flowers come in a variety of colors, including blue, purple, white, pink, and yellow. The foliage is usually divided into three or five leaflets. Delphiniums are easy to grow, and they are a popular garden plant for their beautiful flowers and long blooming period.
Planning Your Garden With Delphiniums
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Delphiniums are usually perennial plants, although some varieties are biennial. |
| USDA Zone | Delphiniums are hardy in USDA Zones 3-7. |
| Cold Tolerance | Delphiniums are cold hardy in USDA zones 3-7. They can tolerate temperatures down to 25. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest delphiniums is 60-90 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown delphinium plant is between 3 and 5 feet tall. |
| Spacing requirements | Delphiniums should be planted approximately 18-24 inches apart in well-drained soil in an area with full sun to partial shade. |
| Sun tolerance | Delphiniums prefer full sun or partial shade. They should be planted in an area that receives at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day. |
| Shade tolerance | Delphiniums prefer full sun to partial shade. They will tolerate some shade, but they will need at least four hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. |
| Water requirements | Delphiniums require moist soil that is well-draining. They should be watered regularly, about once a week or when the top inch of soil is dry. They should also be fertilized every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing delphiniums depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 should be applied at a rate of 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet of soil. If you are using a slow-release fertilizer, apply it at a rate of 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet of soil every 6-8 weeks. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing delphiniums is 6.0 to 7.0. |
Why Delphiniums are Popular
People like to grow delphiniums because they are a beautiful and showy flower. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, making them a great addition to any garden. They are also easy to care for, requiring little maintenance.
Companion Plants For Delphiniums
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for delphiniums include:
Common Pests For Delphiniums
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow delphiniums, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- snails
- thrips
- slugs
- aphids
- spider mites
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
