The stately stalks of Delphinium, so often seen at the back of a perennial border, represent a genus of roughly 300 species, presiding in the Ranunculaceae family. She is native throughout the northern hemisphere but a scattering come from the mountaintops of tropical Africa. This unbranched flower spikes carry intensely colored florets, each with a double row of sepals, and a tuft of smaller sepals inside, called the bee, which is often of a contrasting color.
There are a few historical references regarding this plant that I was able to find. The name Delphinium comes from the Greek word ‘delphis, meaning little Dolphin. The Greeks thought that the spur of the florets on the Delphinium Racemes looked just like the graceful snout of a Dolphin. Other references were mostly referring to Delphinium’s toxic nature to mankind and livestock.
Staphisagria and other bi-annual and annual Delphinium species such as Consolida were grown in the middle ages in Europe but the cultivation of this genus had a slow start. The first of the robust perennials; Delphinium elatum (meaning tall) came from the meadows of Eastern Europe and Siberia and did not reach western Europe until the late 1500s. In the 1800s Victor Lemoine and James Kelway in France began breeding these flowers, producing the plum colored “King of Delphiniums”, which was used often in later breeding work. By the early 1900s fine Delphinium hybrids were being produced by the English nursery of Blackmore and Langdon who still specialize in them. the Pacific Giants, still popular today was bred by Czech immigrant Frank Reinelt in California in 1925.
Delphiniums are usually blue but various cultivated strains contain shades from white to pink to deep purple and some wild species can have yellow or red flowers.
The common name Larkspur refers usually to the annual Delphinium Consolida species. The foliage of these species are more lacy and the blooms also differ slightly.
In the Garden
Larkspur demands a place in full sun and is not particularly fussy when she grows in a good place and will reseed themselves easily, producing blooms in different shades of blues, pinks and white.
The perennial Delphinium however is a bit more of a prima donna. She requires deep rich soil, plenty of water, shelter from strong wind, a place in the morning sun or dappled shade in the afternoon, regular fertilizer, staking and plenty of room to prevent powdery mildew.
Delphiniums are available in a range of sizes, from dwarf varieties less than 2 feet tall to those with towering, 6-foot blooms, making a perfect backdrop in any border.
They grow best in zones 3-7 preferring cool, moist summers although some new varieties are more tolerant of heat. Delphiniums can be divided after few (3-4) years in the ground, do this in early spring. They can also be grown from seed when started indoors.
Cut Flower
Delphinium flowers are a valuable and ample crop in the cut flower industry. the blooms are sought after by florists who often use Delphinium to add dramatic height to a design but also the Delphiniums are one of very few flowers who’s color is (or can be) a true blue. One thing to realize while working with Delphinium is the fact that they are very sensitive to ethylene and easily scatter when exposed to it. Best to keep these beauties away from cigarettes, fruits and vegetables, especially if they are ripening.
Delphinium are not particularly suited for foam arrangements, they do much better in a vase with ample water, thus providing that, and a place away from ethylene, drafts and direct sunlight these flowers can look good in a bouquet for a week or so.
Flower meaning
Homeopathic use:
Staphisagria