Delphinium 'Cherry Blossom/White Bee'

Delphinium 'Cherry Blossom/White Bee': Pink Spires Wearing a White Bee

Rosy mauve-pink florets, each with a little white bee in the middle, so the real bumblebees keep showing up thinking they've been double-booked. This delphinium rarely needs staking. MISTAKEN IDENTITY, EXCELLENT RESULTS.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Delphinium elatum hybrid
• Common Name: Larkspur, Delphinium
• Series: Magic Fountains
• Height: 70–90 cm (27–35 in)
• Spread: 25–35 cm (10–14 in)
• Flowers: Rosy, mauve-pink florets with a white bee in the centre, packed onto upright spikes
• Bloom Time: Early to midsummer (June to July), with a possible smaller rebloom in fall if cut back
• Foliage: Deep green, deeply cut leaves forming a bushy base
• Features: Good for cutting, rarely needs staking

Where to Plant: Use it in the middle of a sunny border, in a cottage garden or in a cutting bed for summer bouquets. Its upright spikes add height and structure to a planting. All parts are toxic, so site it away from curious pets and children.

Companion Plants: Lavandula 'Hidcote Superior' adds purple spikes from June to September at the front of the bed. Eragrostis spectabilis brings a fine, airy native grass at 30 to 60 cm with flowers from July to September. Hibiscus Summerific® 'Holy Grail' takes over with big red blooms from July to September, after the pink spikes finish. All three enjoy full sun.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in rich, well-drained soil that stays evenly moist. Delphiniums dislike both drought and soggy roots, so water deeply in dry weather and avoid low spots. A spring feeding with compost or a balanced fertilizer helps. Good air flow reduces powdery mildew. After the first flush of flowers, cut the spent spikes back to the base of the plant. New shoots often bring a smaller second show in late summer or fall. Cut the plant down to the ground after hard frost. Delphiniums are often short-lived perennials, especially in hot, humid summers. Cool nights, like ours, suit them well. Divide crowded clumps in spring every few years.

History: The garden delphinium descends mainly from Delphinium elatum, a species of European and Asian mountain meadows, and its name comes from the Greek for dolphin, after the shape of the flower bud. The Magic Fountains series is a seed-grown strain from the German seed house Benary, bred to be shorter and sturdier than the old giant types.

Final Thoughts: Deer resistant, hummingbird approved and made for cutting. Plant a row and fill every vase in the house. PINK SPIRES, NO STAKES.