Delphinium – Delphinium elatum

Common Name: Delphinium

Botanical Name: Delphinium elatum, del-FIN-ee-um ee-LAY-tum

Decorative Life: 4-12 days.

Flower Color: Blue, Pink, Red, White

Availability: Spring, Year Round

• Member of Ranunculaceae (buttercup family).
• Native from Europe to Siberia.
• Common relatives include columbine, larkspur, monkshood and anemone.

• Height from 4-8 feet.
• Single or double flowers occur on unbranched spikes.
• Plant is classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined.
• Flowers are not fragrant.

32-36 degrees F based on best available data.

• Delphinium”s petals have been said to resemble the bottle-nose of the dolphin, hence the Greek derivative of the name “delphis,” which means dolphin.
• As a garden plant, it is often plagued by lack of hardiness, insect and disease problems. This species is an important parent of many garden hybrids and therefore is often named D. x elatum where the x means it is a cross of different species.
• Plant parts are poisonous, ingestion may cause illness.
• Good vertical accent.
• Make sure stems are rinsed in tap water prior to cutting under water to remove excess debris that could clog the stems.

Ichimura et al. (2000) determined that the most abundant sugar in delphinium is mannitol, not the more common glucose, fructose or sucrose. In fact, treating this species with a flower food containing mannitol delayed the abscission of flowers by reducing the plant’s sensitivity to ethylene.