Growing Magic Fountains Series Delphinium Garden Seeds
- Taxonomy: Delphinium elatum
- Other Names: Alpine Delphinium, Candle Larkspur
- Seed Type: Perennial
- Sow Indoors or Outdoors: Delphiniums are known to be a challenging grow and best started indoors 10 – 12 weeks prior to the frost. Magic Fountains Series seeds will germinate in 7 – 14 days with full lighting then place seedlings under a grow light and harden off to an equally sunny spot either in the garden or indoors. Starts may require early staking that must be readjusted as plant matures.
- Days to Maturity: 2nd Year Maturity
- Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8
- Planting Depth: Plant 2 – 3 seeds ½”
- Plant Spacing: 36”
- Growth Habit: 24 – 36” upright with a 24 – 36” spread of densely floreted 12 – 15” blooming spikes
- Soil Preference: Organically rich, evenly moist, well-drained
- Light Preference: Full sun
- Diseases/Pests/Troubleshooting: Delphinium is known to require considerable maintenance including staking, disease prevention, and heavy pruning and deadheading. Delphinium is generally susceptible to powdery mildew, botrytis blight, leaf spots, and crown rot if oversaturated from not being not properly drained or ventilated. Water plants at the base to prevent wetting the foliage. Watch regularly for aphids and mites, but monitor especially for damaging slugs and snails.
- Color: Signature choice of Blue with White Bee, Cherry Blossom, Dark with Dark Bee, Lavender, Lilac Pink, Improved Sky Blue, White with Dark Bee, White with White Bee, and Mix
Delphiniums are known to be a challenging grow and best started indoors 10 – 12 weeks prior to the frost. Magic Fountains Series seeds will germinate in 7 – 14 days with full lighting then place seedlings under a grow light and harden off to an equally sunny spot either in the garden or indoors. Starts may require early staking that must be readjusted as plant matures. Plant 2 – 3 Magic Fountains Series delphinium seeds ½” deep and 36” apart in organically rich, evenly moist, and well-drained soil in full sun. Delphinium is known to require considerable maintenance including staking, disease prevention, and heavy pruning and deadheading. Delphinium is generally susceptible to powdery mildew, botrytis blight, leaf spots, and crown rot if oversaturated from not being not properly drained or ventilated. Water plants at the base to prevent wetting the foliage. Watch regularly for aphids and mites, but monitor especially for damaging slugs and snails. Magic Fountains Series delphinium seeds are perennials that mature in their second year as 24 – 36” uprights with a 24 – 36” spread of densely floreted 12 – 15” blooming spikes.
Delphinium elatum, or more commonly known as delphinium, is native to prairie clearings, woodlands, and river valleys across Europe and Siberia, having naturalized throughout most of the northern hemisphere. Delphinium is one of the most popularly cultivated blooms ever and has been bred and hybridized since about 1578. The genus Delphinium shares the title “larkspur” with the flowering genus Consolida and is also widely known to be toxic to humans, pets, and livestock.