Delphinium elatum Seeds | Red Delphinium
LATIN NAME: Delphinium elatum
COMMON NAME: Red Delphinium
Plant Profile
Among the ornamental and useful plants raised from seed, Red Delphinium (Delphinium elatum) stands out as a tall, upright, perennial in the buttercup family. LATIN NAME: Delphinium elatum COMMON NAME: Red Delphinium red delphinium is scarlet spire of summer border, and spurred flowers crowd tall stems above divided leaves. The whole plant is for the eyes only, not for eating or touching without the gloves. It is a plant of open, sunny, deep, moist, well-drained ground. During flowering it gives bees and other insects a dependable food source. These traits together are what have kept the plant in gardens for so long.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the buttercup family, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. Gardeners benefit directly from its long cultivation: what the plant will do in a garden is well understood.
Uses & Benefits
Red Delphinium brings genuine presence to the garden and earns its keep across the growing season. Red delphinium is a fine, bold plant of summer border and cottage garden. Give tall stems support of cane in open border, and spires will stand the summer. Establishment is uncomplicated, and afterwards ordinary care suffices.
Delphiniums are the aristocrats of the summer border; note that the whole genus is toxic if eaten, so admire the spires and keep them from grazing animals and children.
Growing from Seed
Red Delphinium is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Use a fine, free-draining seed compost, scatter the seed evenly, cover it lightly and hold it just moist in good light. Grow the youngsters on steadily in pots until well rooted, then move them to their final positions.
Our Take
Part of this plant’s appeal is the long practical history summarized above. Red Delphinium is the kind of plant that rewards a permanent spot. Its wants are few — a sunny spot, soil that drains, and time to settle in.
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