DELPHINIUM

Hardy perennial



Nearly all the perennial varieties may be raised from seed, and where

large numbers are required this is the best method of obtaining them.

They make handsome border flowers, and are extremely valuable during the

early months of summer. Sow in May, June or July, in the open ground,

and transplant in autumn. If mixed seed has been sown, it will not be

wise to thin out all the weakly plants, or it may happen that some of

the choicest shades may be lost. The first flowers will be over by

midsummer, but if the stalks are promptly cut down instead of being

allowed to seed, there will be a second display later in the year.



Three varieties, Queen of Blues, Dwarf Porcelain Blue, and Blue

Butterfly, may be flowered as annuals, by sowing in pans in March and

transplanting to the open as soon as the seedlings are ready. They also

make particularly charming pot plants, for which purpose it is advisable

to sow seeds in March.



The scarlet variety (D. nudicaule) is rather more delicate than the

others, and it is wise to raise the plants in well-drained seed-pans,

and to take care of them through the first winter in a cold frame;

indeed, in a heavy soil there is a risk of losing them in any winter

which is both cold and wet. It is not necessary to employ pots, but

immediately after flowering take them up and store in peat until the

following April, when they can be returned to the open ground.



D. sulphureum. The seed takes a very long time to germinate, and

severely taxes the patience of the sower. But otherwise there is no

difficulty in raising plants, and the long spikes of beautiful clear

sulphur-yellow flowers are well worth the extra time the seedlings need.

The best plan is to sow in autumn in the open ground, cover with a

frame, and avoid disturbing the soil, except for weeding, until the next

autumn, when the plants should be put into position for flowering in the

following summer.



As slugs are exceedingly partial to Delphiniums, the crowns should be

examined in spring, and the seed-beds may be dressed with soot and

surrounded with ashes to save the seedlings from injury.



The annual Delphiniums are dealt with under Larkspur, page 274.