Delphinium 'Double Innocence'

Delphinium 'Double Innocence': A Tower of Pure White Elegance

Refined and radiant, Delphinium 'Double Innocence' rises like a spire of snow through the early summer garden, its fully double, pure white blooms glowing against rich green foliage. This stunning cultivar brings classical charm and luminous contrast to perennial borders, while offering the same architectural presence and stately form for which delphiniums are revered. Blooming from early to midsummer, 'Double Innocence' adds grace, serenity, and pollinator value to sunny garden spaces with a whisper of romantic grandeur.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 150–180 cm
• Spread: 45–60 cm, forming upright clumps with tall, elegant spikes
• Flower Colour: Pure white; fully double blooms with layered, ruffled petals
• Flowering Period: Early to midsummer; may rebloom in late summer with deadheading
• Foliage: Dark green, deeply lobed leaves forming a bushy base
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to light shade
• Soil Requirements: Rich, moist, well-drained soil; dislikes drought or waterlogging

Uses and Benefits: Delphinium 'Double Innocence' brings vertical brilliance and soft luminosity to borders, cottage gardens, and formal designs. Its white spires provide striking contrast against darker or more vibrant blooms and serve as cooling accents in hot-coloured schemes. Long-stemmed and stately, it’s ideal for cutting gardens and floral arrangements. Attracting bees and butterflies, it also contributes to the health of the summer landscape while maintaining an air of quiet sophistication.

Companion Plants: Pair Delphinium 'Double Innocence' with Salvia 'Caradonna', whose rich purple-blue spikes and dark stems create a striking colour contrast and textural harmony. Behind it, place Panicum 'Northwind', whose upright blades lend structure and movement while echoing the delphinium’s vertical form. At the front, weave in Geranium 'Rozanne', whose violet-blue blooms spill gently across the ground and extend colour long after the delphinium’s main show.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. Stake flower spikes early to protect from wind damage. Water during dry periods, and mulch to retain soil moisture and protect roots. Deadhead after flowering to encourage a second flush. Cut back to the ground in fall. Divide clumps every 3–4 years to maintain plant health and vigor.

History: A standout in the Delphinium elatum group, 'Double Innocence' was bred for its fully double, snow-white flowers and strong, upright habit. As with all elatum hybrids, its lineage traces back to European mountain meadows, where wild delphiniums first inspired generations of breeders. Revered for its rare colour purity in a genus known for blues and purples, it brings a timeless elegance to modern and classic gardens alike.

Final Thoughts: With its cloud-white blooms and soaring stature, Delphinium 'Double Innocence' is a luminous focal point for early summer displays. When planted with the deep hues of Salvia 'Caradonna', the vertical grace of Panicum 'Northwind', and the long-blooming beauty of Geranium 'Rozanne', it creates a serene, pollinator-rich tapestry full of contrast and movement. A quintessential choice for gardeners who appreciate grace, height, and a sense of calm sophistication in the border.