|
| what is the difference. I think larkspur has more fernlike leaves than the delphinium. In zone 4, is one more hardy than the other. I love the deep royal blue colors. Many of my delphiniums don't come back. Maybe the larkspur with the fern leaves is more hardy. they seem to have a gorgeous color to them. Anyone? |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by buyorsell888 Zone 8 Portland OR (My Page) on Thu, Jun 9, 11 at 15:09
| Larkspur are generally annuals, delphiniums are perennials even though they are finicky and don't come back for all. Larkspur do have finer leaves and smaller flower spikes that are thinner around. |
|
| I have found that larkspur reseeds very well for me, and I also collect seed and scatter it around. I had no luck with delphiniums coming back, so I definitely prefer the larkspur. Becky |
|
| I thought true larkspur (Consolida) was an annual. Which delphiniums are you trying that don't come back? I have a row of Pacific Giants. There is something about one spot where the plant frequently doesn't come back...I've yet to determine what it is. |
|
- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Thu, Jun 9, 11 at 16:56
| i found over the years.. that perennial delphs are very borderline z5 .... i never figured out if it was temps .. or root rot in damp winter soil ... or mid-winter thaws ... or what not.... larkspur is an annual in z5 ... which reseeds freely.. but not overwhelmingly ... and frankly the only version i will grow.. like you say.. that intense blue flower is something else ... buy it once.. have it forever ... delphs just got too expensive to replace year in and year out ... I THINK .. the key to perennial delphs would be soil structure and drainage .... as well as micro climate.. but that is a WAG ... ken |
|
- Posted by steelskies (My Page) on Thu, Jun 9, 11 at 18:37
| I just had a thought. Maybe I could dig up the delphinium and store it in my garage, then replant in spring? Like I do some others. Has anyone tried this? I have put a rather thick mulch on the delphs in fall to protect them from my Zone 4 temps. It didn't seem to matter. Had to look up what WAG meant! My husband says the correct phrase is SWAG! |
|
- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Thu, Jun 9, 11 at 19:49
| swag.. stolen w/o a gun??? Southern Women Aging Gracefully Still Wondering and Guessing and a lot of other insulting ones ... lol though i prefer this one Strong Wise Accomplished Gentlemen just plant the larkspur.. and save your money on expensive foo foo delphs ... on the other hand.. if money is no object.. and you like to fool around pushing the boundaries of zone ... knock yourself out ... ken |
Here is a link that might be useful: link
|
| I would not mulch delphs, they are sensitive to crown rot. I read in an old garden book from the 50's to put a bit of sand on the crowns during growing season, so that the water drains from the crown. It works well for me. My delphs can take a lot of cold, what kills them is poor drainage. They do like moisture during the growing season as long as it is well drained. Larkspur are easier, they do reseed quite well, so once planted you don't have to replant, they are easier than delphs but just as pretty in their own way, I think. Hope this helps........ |
|
| what about delphinium in zone 7? I bought 3 last year, this year two came back and are looking beautiful right now. The local Lowe's also had a sale on them a few weeks ago--$19 pots for $4.75. I bought 3. They are doing ok though I'm watering them every day due to the intense heat and sun we are having here. I will try the sand around the crown thing, but should I expect to have to replace them each year in my zone? Thanks |
|
| Ken, why did you mention pushing the boundaries of zone? Most delphs are hardy to zone 3, and some even to 2. Most of my delphs are 20 years old, and have survived all types of weather...high and low temp., dry, and wet. I never water them--the only care they get is weeding 2x/year...I don't even have to fertilize. Several delphinium varieties don't like a lot of humidity, so those of you in a humid climate might just need to try a different cultivar. Also, some are less tolerant of extremely hot temperatures. |
|
| Yes, Delphiniums are cold climate plants. It's the heat they can't handle. |
|
| I grow the low growing perennial delphinium, Delphinium grandiflorum. Doesn't need staking and is less fussy about growing conditions. I just add some sand to the planting hole. here's a picture from 2009, cutivar is Blue Butterflies:
|
|
- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Fri, Jun 10, 11 at 9:20
| perhaps.. in relying on a common name.. we are not growing the same delphiniums .... i would love to see a pic of a z3 delph .... and know its full latin name ... regardless.. i suggested its is probably not a zone issue.. as much as a soil issue.. supported by hpny who suggests crown rot ... which for me means damp soil in late fall going into ground freeze.. causing the crown to rot at soil thaw in spring .... and also complicated by freeze/thaw in mid winter when there is not sufficient snow cover .... 20 year old delphs simply amazes me ... congrats ... ken |
|
| I haven't taken a picture of them since the digital age, maybe I'll remember in July and post a picture. But, I'm 5'5", and they're taller than me. They're D. elatum. And I should have said that most readily available, in the trade, delphiniums are hardy to z3. |
|
| I love delphs but they never return for me. In the past I've gotten the very tall ones that need staking. They are so gorgeous! BUT, I'm not rich so I gave them up. I can't spend that much on what should really be considered an annual. |
|
| I grow several varieties from seed. Delphiniums are short lived for me. I have one King Arthur which is five years old but most survive 1-3 years. They are easily grown from seed by winter sowing and some will bloom the same year. |
|
| I've had 2 of 3 Delphiniums for 5 years. They were grown from seed from a local friend and she thinks they were Magic Fountains, which are a dwarf variety. I say 2 of 3 because this year is the first year that all three did not come back, just 2 of the original 3. My soil is clay that has been amended to some extent. When we planted them, we also added new soil and amendments to the hole. I think these plants are amazing because I've never had delphs live this long before. Ususally, in our area, they seem to last about 3 years tops, and then they just don't come back. The gardening friend who gave me these plants says that she thinks that growing them from seed makes them hardier and more likely to return. I love them and I'm happy to see them return every spring. Mine are blooming right now. Linda |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Perennials Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.