Delphinium New Zealand (larkspur, spur) is an unpretentious ornamental plant of the Buttercup family, which will decorate any garden plot. Its tall stems are more than half covered with flowers. Inflorescences have a wide variety of colors: from white, pink, purple to dark red and burgundy. It also has attractive bright green leaves with pointed tips. Gardeners appreciate the plant for its long flowering period.
History and description of the flower
The homeland of the delphinium is Greece. Its name comes from the ancient city of Delphi, where these beautiful flowers grew. Another version of the origin of the name implies the external similarity of unblown inflorescences with the head and body of a dolphin.
Delphinium flowers are simple, double and semi-double. The size is found in different diameters - from 3 to 10 cm. There are annual and perennial varieties. Summer residents and amateur gardeners prefer to grow perennial crops. The most popular species are considered to be with giant stems and large flowers. The life span of a delphinium is 5 to 8 years. With good, proper care, the stems of the burgundy can grow up to 2.5 m in length.
Delphinium New Zealand
Perennials are classified into 3 main groups: New Zealand, Scottish, and Morphine.
The New Zealand group includes the following most common delphinium varieties:
- Double Inocens. It has large white inflorescences. It tolerates cold well and is not susceptible to various types of diseases. Looks great in combination with roses.
- Sneferu has flowers of a heavenly hue, bordered with lilac fringes.
- The Sphinx has deep purple flowers that look great with other colors of delphiniums.
- Pink Punch has dark pink large flowers. Frost-resistant variety, rarely exposed to diseases and pests.
A popular variety among gardeners is the Delphinium Terry New Zealand Giant Lilac. This frost-hardy plant often reaches more than 2 m in length, so it needs to be supported. The giant has a long life span, will delight with its beauty for about 10 years.
Delphinium variety terry New Zealand Giant purple
Features of planting and care
Hybrids are bred by division, less often - by cuttings. Most species of burgundy have a racemose rhizome. You can collect seeds from a plant in the fall. Planting should be done in the spring in fertilized soil. To plant a delphinium, it is worth preparing a special soil or buying a ready-made mixture. If the soil is not fertilized in advance, then as the seedlings or seedlings grow, it is recommended to add mineral additives to it.
During the growth period, the flower does not tolerate a lack of water. Therefore, for good development and subsequent reproduction, it is important to monitor the moisture content of the earth. After the plant has faded, you need to cut off the dried inflorescences so that new ones appear the next year. Almost all varieties tolerate the cold season, so no shelter is required for the winter. But in some areas, gardeners prefer to cover the flowers with branches.
Landing in open ground
Harmful insects
With the best care, there is always the likelihood of insect damage to plants.The most malicious pests are flies, slugs and aphids.
Flies and aphids infect flowers in drought, therefore, special insecticides must be used to combat. Slugs, on the other hand, attack during the rainy season. Therefore, a place for new plantings should be chosen well-ventilated. If it was not possible to avoid the attack of parasites, chlorine treatment should be carried out.
Growing a delphinium is quite simple. The main condition is to follow simple care instructions. Then a magnificent plant will delight you with flowers of various shades for more than one year.
