These delightful flowers are stalwart of many summer gardens! A genus of the Ranunculaceae family, there are more than 300 species available. These showy perennials are grown for their long, colourful spikes in blues as well as other colours such as white and lilac.
Delphiniums are butterfly and insect magnets, too!
Delphiniums prefer moist, cool summers and don’t do well in hot, dry weather or sudden wind or rain. They are best planted in the spring.
Plant in full sun with shelter from strong winds in free draining soil. Stake early in the growing season as delphiniums’ heavy flower spikes can easily break off.
Delphinium like regular feeding with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks.
Water regularly in the summer.
After delphiniums have finished blooming, cut flower stalks to the ground, and new, smaller, flower stalks will develop.
Every 3 to 4 years, divide plants in spring: Remove and replant the new little plants growing around the outside of the clump. Discard the hard old heart.
Penstemon
Penstemons are hardy perennials that are lovely in cottage gardens. Grown in full sun or partial shade. Their stunning bell shaped flowers bloom through summer into early autumn. Deadhead to prolong flowering. Penstemons are a vital food source for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and insects.
