With its towering spikes of brilliant blooms, Delphinium (or Larkspur, as many of us call it) is a total showstopper in any garden. One of the reasons we gardeners love it so much is that many varieties are perennials, coming back to grace our flower beds year after year. However, depending on the type you choose, they can be annuals, biennials, or long-lived perennials. If you’ve got an annual or biennial variety, they’re also super easy to grow from seed!
Choosing the Right Variety for Your Garden
How long your Delphinium sticks around really depends on the specific variety. Wild types, like Field Larkspur, are usually annuals that rely on self-seeding to keep the party going. On the other hand, most cultivated hybrids are biennials or perennials. A good rule of thumb is: the taller the plant, the longer it tends to live. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Belladonna Hybrids: These are perennials, but they aren’t the longest-lived—expect them to stick around for about five years.
- Elatum Hybrids: These are the true giants of the garden and can happily thrive for five to ten years.
- Pacific Giants: While absolutely stunning, these are a bit more delicate and often only last about three years.
How to Keep Your Delphiniums Going
If you want to get the most out of your perennial Delphiniums, a great trick is to divide the roots and replant the sections. Not only does this give you “free” plants to spread around your yard, but it actually acts like a fountain of youth for the original plant, keeping it vigorous and healthy.
If you’re growing annual or biennial varieties, seeds are the way to go. You can easily collect the seeds yourself in the fall after the flowers fade, or just let the plant do the work for you by letting it self-seed naturally.
Winter Care for Perennial Delphiniums
To get your perennial Delphiniums through the winter, you’ll want to cut them back to just above ground level in the fall. Adding a nice layer of mulch over the spot is a must—it protects the main root (the rhizome) from the elements and lets the plant get some well-deserved rest.
Once spring rolls around, your Delphinium will start poking through the soil again. This is the perfect time to give it some fertilizer to kickstart its growth. I personally recommend a mix of compost and horn shavings to give it that extra boost for a spectacular blooming season!
