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The How To's of Spring Blooming Delphinium
Delphiniums are one of the more sensational spring blooming perennials. From clusters of large green leaves close to the ground sprout yard tall stalks of blue, purple, pink or white flowers. But delphiniums take a little time to grow.

Perhaps the best way to get your plants this year is to purchase the already starting to bloom container produced plants available from some garden centers. But often they are not as tall as the ones you can grow at home and they don't offer the selections you might like.

Delphinium
If you want the best delphiniums you have to grow them yourself. One of the best known groups of delphinium are the Pacific Giants with a large selection of colors and stems to five feet tall. Other equally pleasing selections include the Centurion and Magic Fountain varieties. If you want to start you own plants sow the seeds during October to have transplants for the winter months.
Whether you start your own plants or purchase some from garden centers delphiniums take a little care.

 Here are some tips to help you get the most enjoyment.
Plant in an organic matter enriched full sun garden site.
Add a 2- to 3-inch mulch and keep the soil moist.
Feed monthly with light scatterings of a general garden fertilizer.
Stake taller varieties to prevent wind damage to flowers.
Cut long stalks of flowers for bouquets or remove declining blooms to encourage new shoots.

Regretfully delphiniums do not grow as perennials in Central Florida and are removed as the plants decline. New plantings are needed each year.