Types and varieties of delphinium

Delphinium is a beautiful herb, which is also called larkspur. The annual is deservedly popular with Russian flower growers, as it feels great in our climatic conditions, is incredibly beautiful, has a huge number of varieties and hybrid varieties. This luxuriously blooming representative of flora is able to decorate any area.

To grow high larkspur, you need to have certain skills and know the features of this plant, its care requirements. First of all, this plant is sensitive to strong winds, loves the sun, does not tolerate swampy areas, stagnant water. With proper care, the delphinium will delight with its exquisite flowering already at the beginning of summer and will bloom a second time in early autumn. Delphinium belongs to the buttercup family with nearly 500 varieties. As a rule, flower growers are dealing with hybrid plants.

It is assumed that the name of this flower is due to the associations of the bud with the head of a dolphin, but there is also a legend according to which an ancient Greek youth created a sculpture of his beloved girl and revived her. For this offense, the gods turned him into a dolphin, who presented his beloved with a luxurious bouquet of flowers on the seashore. As for the second name - larkspur - it refers rather to the properties of a medicinal nature. After all, delphinium can help to heal injuries and wounds faster.

Characteristic features of the plant:

• foliage of a split type, the form can be three-part, as well as five- and seven-part;

• rounded outlines;

• there are leaves of an openwork type;

• leaves can be either serrated or with an even border;

• the height varies from 4 cm to 2 meters;

• roots are very strong and well developed;

• flowering five-leafed, like a bowl, on top there is an appendage similar to a funnel - a spur;

• inflorescences like a pyramid, long peduncle;

• flowering shades - blue, pink, purple, white, purple, can be two-colored;

• there are varieties with terry and semi-double on the flower.

There are three main varieties of delphinium.

• Delphinium elatum - high delphinium. The tallest representative - can grow up to 3 meters. The stems are fleecy, the foliage is rich green, similar to fingers in shape. Flowering is racemose, dense, bright blue.

• Delphinium grandiflora - large-flowered. An annual plant up to 80 cm in height, distinguished by a downy stem with vertical branching. The leaves are triple, the flowers are grouped into large inflorescences according to the type of brush. It begins to bloom in the middle of summer. Color - blue or light blue.

• Field delphinium. An annual up to 2 meters high, blooms in July and lasts until September. Flowers are like a pyramid, can be double or standard, colors - blue, lilac, white, pink.

Plant breeding began in the 19th century, crossing a tall delphinium with a large-flowered one. This gave the first hybrid variety, Barlow, as well as delphinium formosum, Belladonna. After that, other hybrid varieties of various colors began to appear. Currently, there are about 800 shades of delphinium flowers of different diameters, with a varied shape of the border.

The types and varieties of delphinium are so diverse that they allow you to choose a flower for every taste.One of the first hybrids - the Ajax delphinium - subsequently became widespread and formed the basis for crosses for new hybrids.

The most popular hybrid representatives of this plant in Russia:

• Astolat

• "Black Knight"

• Ajax

• Galahad

• "Red giant"

• "Princess Caroline"

• "Magic Fountain"

• "Crystal Delight"

• "King Arthur"

• Highlander Blueberry Pie

Hybrid plants are based on three main types and are subdivided into several groups.

This is a relatively new group of larkspur, which was bred several decades ago. New Zealand delphiniums are very unpretentious to the climate, withstand cold weather, bloom for a long time, therefore they have become widespread among flower growers in Russia. This group of plants looks luxurious in garden plots. Distinctive features of the variety:

• high, reach two meters in height;

• flowering with terry or semi-terry;

• peduncles can reach 80 cm in height;

• inflorescences of the type of brushes, large, include from 4 to 6 petal rows;

• flower diameter - about 9 cm;

• the color range is varied: white, blue, others.

Among the most famous varieties, the following stand out:

• Blue Lace terry - known for its light blue spectacular flowering.

• Royal aspirations has a bright, expressive color of cornflower blue;

• Green twist - one of the most exquisite varieties, snow-white;

• Sunny skies has a very light bluish color;

• Misty Mauves it is distinguished by a luxurious lilac bloom, decorated with terry;

• Deep sweethearts - stand out in deep pink, darkish color, have a white or striped eye;

• Morning lights combined blue and lilac;

• Dusky Maiden. The color is a very delicate pink shade.

This group of plants is distinguished by a straight stem, reaching 180 cm in height. The bloom is very large and showy like candles, decorated with semi-double. The diameter of the flowers is about 7 cm. These plants are of a perennial type, but their lifespan is short: they grow at a maximum of 5 years. In our climate, they survive quite successfully, but they require serious care. Among the most resistant varieties that take root well in Russian realities, the following can be distinguished.

• Black Knight. The stem grows to about one and a half meters, the peduncle is high (up to 70 cm), dense. Blossoming of a bright purple tone with a black eye. Differs in early onset of flowering.

• Blue Jay. This representative of delphiniums grows taller than the previous variety - up to 170 cm.The flowering of a rich blue tone with a long peduncle. One of the most popular varieties in Russia.

• Blue Bird. The bush of this variety stretches up to 170 cm. It does not start flowering very early - around July. It has beautiful restrained blue inflorescences, decorated with a white eye.

• Galahead. This representative grows a little taller - up to 180 cm. The flowering is cone-shaped, not too dense, snow-white. Differs in early flowering.

• "Ginever". The two-meter stem is decorated with large flowers, which have a color that connects rose and lilac, with semi-double around the edges. One of the highest grades in the group. Blooming later.

• "Camellard". One of the most beautiful representatives of delphiniums, the flowering petals are colored with a deep shade of lavender.

• King Arthur. Reaches 180 cm in height, decorated with semi-double flowers, purple color. Late grade.

• "Pacific". One of the most popular delphiniums in Russia, its height exceeds one and a half meters, flowers up to 8 cm in diameter, large cyst-like inflorescences. It tolerates both cold and drought perfectly. Used in landscape design, in floristic compositions.

This is a domestic group of varieties that were bred taking into account the conditions of our climate, therefore, the most popular in the country. Their decorative and quality properties are as high as foreign ones. Distinctive features of this group of plants:

• neat bushes, height up to 180 cm;

• inflorescences are pyramidal, decorated with semi-double, large;

• varied color.

Florists distinguish the following varieties in this group of delphiniums:

• "Spring Snow" - large-flowered type, snow-white bloom;

• "Blue Lace" - it is distinguished by a luxurious subtle blue tint of flowering;

• "Daughter of Winter" - slightly lower than the previous representatives (up to 160 cm), snow-white

• "Pledge of Youth" - about the same height, has inflorescences of up to 70 pinkish flowers;

• "Caravan" - has a pronounced vanilla aroma, flowers of a beautiful shade of delicate lavender;

• "Summer morning" - the flowers are very large, in the inflorescence there can be up to 90 pieces, the color is lilac with a pink tint;

• "Morpheus" - purple inflorescences with 60 flowers.

These varieties are distinguished by large blooms in the form of a lip flower, branched inflorescences in the form of a broom. The most popular varieties:

• "Casablanca" - one of the most common among gardeners, the flowers are white, with a slightly yellow tint in the center, ideal for cut flower arrangements;

• Arnold Becklin - the color is dark blue;

• Berghimmel - very high, up to 2 meters, blue, has a white eye in the center;

• Capri - another delicate blue shade;

• "Merheim" - white delphinium up to 120 cm in height;

• Folkerfried - the color of the blue sky with eyes of snow-white or black shades, large-flowered.

These are perennial delphiniums, adorned with chic terry and super double, inflorescences are very dense - up to 60 petals on each flower. The bush does not exceed one and a half meters in height, the peduncle is up to 80 cm. Unpretentious, persistent varieties, the color range is very diverse. The following varieties of Scottish hybrids are very popular:

• Morning Sunrise;

• Blueberry Pie;

• Moon Light;

• Sweet Sensation;

• Crystal Delight;

• Deepest Pink.

Very often, gardeners decorate with this representative of the flora the space along the fences and fences, along the perimeter of the site.

• Delphinium flower arrangements with other representatives of the flora look spectacular.

• Landscape ensembles of flowers of different shades can decorate any flower garden.

• Delphinium looks great in flower beds with shorter plants. It is recommended to place it in the center.

• Even a few delphinium bushes are able to give the landscape expressiveness and showiness.

• This plant looks luxurious in chaotic flower beds, framed by other flowers.

• Tall, graceful flowers look great as a highlight of any space, for example, a lawn.

• You can safely plant a delphinium along the paths - you are provided with an incredibly beautiful view when walking.

See a video about the types and varieties of delphinium below.