Flower spotlight: delphinium

Have you ever heard of delphinium? This pretty perennial is native throughout the northern hemisphere to the tropical mountains of Africa and comes in various shades of blues and purples. Some varieties come in white and even yellow, which is the flower’s rarest color. They can grow up to eight feet tall and are often seen growing wild in meadows. 

The delphinium name originated in ancient Greece from the word delphínion, meaning dolphin, which refers to the bloom’s dolphin-shaped petals. Delphiniums attract most pollinators, such as butterflies and bees, which makes them a garden favorite even though they are notoriously difficult to grow. There are over 400 different species of delphinium, including larkspur which is the birth flower of July! Unfortunately, every single variety is highly toxic to both humans and animals. Still, delphinium’s tall, cylindrical blooms are show-stoppers in any floral bouquet when used safely and properly. 

Delphiniums look great paired with garden roses, tulips, cremones, scabiosa, ranunculus, lilies, and even cherry blossoms in cut flower arrangements. They could dress up almost any arrangement or bouquet but try to avoid mixing too many tall blooms together. It’s usually best to add varying lengths, especially with bouquets. For table arrangements, delphiniums look stunning in tall, elegant containers. For a more casual look around the house, tie a ribbon around a bunch and lay them in a basket on their side.

Don’t let delphiniums’ reputation for being difficult dissuade you from growing them yourself. Sometimes, they just don’t bloom in the first year. Once they blossom, you can have flowers in the spring and again in the fall. Deadhead (remove) old flowers to encourage more blooms. If you want to add delphiniums to your garden, plant them in areas that get at least six hours of sun and keep the soil moist. They can grow in single or double stalks and tend to grow in clumps. Because they grow so tall, it’s best to plant them near the back or sides of your yard, garden, or flower bed. They propagate quickly, so be sure to give them plenty of room to expand!

Give us a call at 405-721-1813 to order a floral arrangement featuring the lovely delphinium for your next business event, wedding, or private gathering.