Delphiniums

[Anonymous]

Does anyone grow these? I'm planning my fall purchases and wondering if anyone has any advice for them in this area. I've also not seen many gardens in my area let alone ones that have delphiniums.

I'm looking for advice on the taller variety, millenium

[Anonymous]

They really do not do well in our area--they need cool, damp English weather. The heat here cooks them and they grow blight and die. Sorry. I love delphiniums, but zone 7? No way.

[Anonymous]

Too hot here, and only getting hotter. Too bad - I'd love to grow them myself.

[Anonymous]

Not a snarky response but why do they sell them at Merrifield? I dont understand why they would offer plants that dont thrive in our environment. They dont even sell them as annuals.

[Anonymous]

I've grown them from seed many times - not hard to do - but they never flourish. If you try - do partial shade or at least afternoon shade. Foxgloves, Hollyhocks, Canterbury Cup & Saucer are some tall showy plants that do well here. Foxgloves in particular - and there are new hybrid types which come back for many years and even have multiple blooms. You can also just pinch/cut off the foxglove bloom right after it is done to encourage the plant to come back next year. Even though they are supposedly biennials - I've had some going for over five years.

Coneflowers are also great here and good for the butterflies, bees and goldfinches.

Anyone tried larkspur?

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]Not a snarky response but why do they sell them at Merrifield? I dont understand why they would offer plants that dont thrive in our environment. They dont even sell them as annuals.




Do you mean in containers to put directly into your garden? I do this a lot if we are having a party. I love the sky blue delphiniums. But I know the heat will kill them off in August so I treat them as an expensive annual. They never come back. I've tried seeds too, but with no luck. If I want them, I have to buy a fairly large plant with the stalk in place almost ready to bloom and then plant them just before a party. Same with poppies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a snarky response but why do they sell them at Merrifield? I dont understand why they would offer plants that dont thrive in our environment. They dont even sell them as annuals.

Nurseries are in the business of making money. If it looks pretty people will buy it. If you want plants suited to your environment you should do your own research.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a snarky response but why do they sell them at Merrifield? I dont understand why they would offer plants that dont thrive in our environment. They dont even sell them as annuals.

Because people say, "Oh, delphiniums, I've heard of those, how pretty!" and then buy them.