delphiniums sparse

delphiniums sparse (post #16396)

gracie101 on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 09:53

General Gardening

I want to start some Giant Pacific delphinium seeds....but can't fine any. And last summer when I was looking for the plants, they seemed to be sparse and not the variety I wanted.

Anyone know why, I live in zone 4, New England...

Also anyone know of a good source for these seeds....or another tall, reliable variety..

Also looking for the light blue shade with black eyes

Do you have any freinds who (post #16396, reply #1 of 6)

by Noel-in-England in reply to gracie101 [original] on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 12:21

Do you have any freinds who still have some of that variety? I was thinking, rather than seeds - you trying cuttings, or getting a clump & dividing it in to 3 or 4.

They are short lived, any way - and need that fresh impetus every 4th year, or they just-disapp

Thanks, they seem to be (post #16396, reply #2 of 6)

by gracie101 in reply to Noel-in-England [original] on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 13:26

Thanks,

they seem to be high maintenance so not many people grow them....I do have some I started by seed at least 5 years ago that keep coming up however their color has gone much more purple.....

Seeds are fairly common at (post #16396, reply #3 of 6)

by KimmI in reply to gracie101 [original] on Fri, 02/26/2010 - 05:19

Seeds are fairly common at many of the locally owned nurseries around here, I've not seen them at the big box stores. Some years I also see stated plants at the locally owned nurseries, but not every year and not evey place. I also think that is because people have the misconception that Delphiniums are difficult to grow. I've not had a problem as long as the soil they are planted in is well endowed with organic matter so it is evenly moist but well drained. No matter what, however, they are short lived, like many of the Digitalis.

The sign of a good gardener is brown knees, not a green thumb.

These companies should have (post #16396, reply #4 of 6)

by SteveA in reply to gracie101 [original] on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 14:33

These companies should have seeds of your delphinium

http://www.gardenmakers.com/index.html

http://www.stokeseeds.com/

http://www.tmseeds.com/

These companies sell the plant:

http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/b/bp/index.html

http://www.waysidegardens.com/gardening/GP/homepage/page1

http://www.rareplantnursery.net/

--Steve Aitken, Editor, Fine Gardening

I've noticed plant (post #16396, reply #5 of 6)

by ThankGod4Gardening in reply to gracie101 [original] on Fri, 03/05/2010 - 13:03

I've noticed plant availability goes in cycles. I live in the Midwest and Delphiniums plants were a bit sparse here last year as well. I too have decided to try seeds this year. I happened to notice Giant Pacific delphinium seeds in my local Wal-mart last week--so l look for them to be everywhere soon! We're zone 5 so, it may be just a matter of weeks before they're available locally for you as well.

I see that the FEDCO catalog (post #16396, reply #6 of 6)

by AstridElsaJo in reply to ThankGod4Gardening [original] on Sun, 03/07/2010 - 10:36

I see that the FEDCO catalog has a fine selection of delphinium seed this year - Astolat Pacific Giant, Black Knight PG, Summer Skies PG, and Connecticut Yankee Mix.

delphiniums sparse