Delphina Dark Blue White Bee Larkspur

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

14-18 Inches

Mature Spread

10-16 Inches

Growing Zones

4 to 8

Known as the Grand Dame of the Garden, Delphinium have been cultivated around the world for thousands of years. Plant breeders have improved this nostalgic garden beauty, and have created a shorter, stalkier, healthier and more tolerant cultivar that you are going to want to have in your garden this spring! Bright blue double flowers with a white bee (the center petals in the throat of the bloom) sit atop deeply serrated leaves that add a fine texture with their irregular cut edges, adding to the charm of this old fashioned cottage garden bloomer. They are shorter in stature, but they are not short on beauty.

Delphiniums are native to Eastern and Central Europe, and Siberia in Zones 3-7 and grow to about 5 feet tall. They grew in meadows, woodland margins, and in river valleys along the streams. For decades, gardeners have attempted to grow this lovely perennial in cottage gardens with little to no success as they were met with a plethora of issues like required staking for wind resistance, numerous plant diseases, tall plants had to be placed in the background of the garden, etc. The Delphina series of Delphinium answers all the questions that gardeners have had for years…’why can’t I grow delphiniums?’.

Delphina Dark Blue White Bee Larkspur Care

Now hardy in Zones 4 to 8, Delphina Dark Blue White Bee requires partial to full sun with some afternoon shade in the hotter regions of the country. They thrive in sandy loam or well draining clay soils. Watering needs are moderate, so water only when there has not been enough rainfall. Use a high phosphorus fertilizer with a ratio like 10-20-10 for best results. Well composted organic material can be used to mulch and help soil retain moisture. Deer and rabbit will not typically browse on delphinium. All parts of the plant are toxic to humans. Use care when in reach of children.

Deadheading delphiniums may result in a rebloom. Remove the flower head at the base and you may see new flowers in a couple of weeks. Pruning and staking is not needed as these are shorter, more compact plants. If you do not deadhead, seedheads will develop and, as open pollinated perennials, the seeds will run true to their parent plant, duplicating the beautiful colors and growing patterns of their parents. Delphina Dark Blue with White Bee makes a beautiful cut flower for indoor arrangements.

Delphina Dark Blue White Bee Larkspur Spacing

Spacing your plants properly is crucial. Growing to about 18 inches tall and 16 inches wide, you will want to space your plants about 10 to 16 inches apart. This will allow for greater air circulation which will help to reduce any chances of powdery mildew, a fungal disease that plaques delphiniums. Remove any diseased portions of the plant and it will regrow new green growth. Whether massing them out on the edge of the woods, or creating a border with them, Delphina Dark Blue with White Bee Larkspur Delphiniums are destined to be your new favorite garden perennial this spring!