Delphinium 'Pagan Purples'

Delphinium 'Pagan Purples': Inky Purple Spires Ruling the Back Row

Huge, dense spires of very deep purple-blue, packed with double florets like a wedding cake that only comes in midnight. This delphinium does nothing halfway. GO BIG OR GO BACK TO PETUNIAS.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Delphinium elatum hybrid
• Common Name: Larkspur, Delphinium
• Series: New Millennium delphiniums, bred in New Zealand
• Height: 120–180 cm (4–6 ft)
• Spread: 45–60 cm (1.5–2 ft)
• Flowers: Large, dense spires of semi-double to double florets in very deep purple-blue with dark centres
• Bloom Time: Early to midsummer, with a second flush in late summer if cut back (June to August)
• Foliage: Deeply cut, dark green leaves in a bushy clump
• Features: Excellent cut flower

Where to Plant: Plant it at the back of a sunny border or against a fence, where its height can do the talking, or in a cottage or cutting garden. Choose a spot sheltered from strong wind.

Companion Plants: Plant tall 'Pagan Purples' at the back of a sunny bed with moist, rich soil and warm colour in front. Waldsteinia ternata carpets the front at 10 to 15 cm with yellow flowers in May and June. Helenium 'Short 'n' Sassy' adds orange and gold daisies at 40 to 55 cm from July to September. Aster 'Pink Crush' brings rose-pink asters at 51 to 61 cm in September and October. Molinia 'Variegata' arches at 60 to 80 cm in flower with cream-striped blades.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun, in deep, rich, moist but well-drained soil. Add compost at planting and mulch to keep the roots cool. Avoid sites that stay wet in winter. Stake the stems early, before they reach about 90 cm (3 ft), so a summer storm doesn't flatten them. Water in dry spells and feed in spring. After the first bloom, cut the spent spikes back to the foliage to encourage a smaller second show. Good air flow helps prevent powdery mildew. Cut back in late fall. Delphiniums tend to be short-lived in hot, humid summers, and all parts are toxic if eaten.

History: 'Pagan Purples' belongs to the New Millennium delphiniums bred in New Zealand by Terry and Katrina Dowdeswell, a strain known for strong stems and better heat tolerance than older types. Heritage Perennials named it one of its Top 10 Perennials for 2006.

Final Thoughts: Deer resistant, hummingbird approved and a showstopping cut flower. Cut it back after the first flush for a second round. TALL ORDER, DELIVERED.