I have tried 3 different Delphiniums plants and am unable to make them grow. I recently planted 2 more in my garden in June. I have compost in the soil and adequate moisture but the plants just dry up, turn brown, and die. Any suggestions?
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Delphiniums
Submitted by mhillman on July 20, 2008 - 2:39pm.
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Well there might not be really any true blue but here are some close ideas.
Balloon flower, more purple but close
May Night Salvia as mentioned
Amsonia or Blue Star
Nepeta
Stokes Aster
Fall blooming aster
Mertensia, Virginia Bluebells
They are not prefect but a few other close suggestions - Dennis
I have a great one - but you will not like the answer. The best suggestion is don't plant delphiniums! They do not like the KC area climate and soils. No variety really thrives in our area. If they do - it is for only a short period of time. Most gardeners have given up hope.
If you do try this is what they need -
-morning sun afternoon shade
-protection from the hot dry winds
-highly organic soil, add lots of compost and create a planting bed not a planting hole
-even moisture
-organic mulch to keep the soil cooler.
Best of luck as you will need it with this plant!
Dennis - Johnson County Extension
PS: I know there is someone out there that can grow this plant - so there is no need "for I told you so" about my tongue and cheek answer. :)
Salvia "May Night" would be a good choice for a blue perennial. It isn't as blue as that gorgeous blue delphinium, but it isn't purple, and it doesn't die in our climate. It begins blooming in May, and if you keep deadheading it, it will bloom until frost. It also likes a good rejuvenating haircut late in summer. Just cut the plant down to the basal foliage at ground level. It will come back like gangbusters and bloom again in the fall. At least that's my experience with it.
Bees just love 'May Night'. So do slugs, though, so be forewarned.
I also love a blue annual that is REAL easy to grow from seed and self-sows readily in the garden. It is an annual salvia -- 'Victoria Blue', also called Mealycup Sage. Once it gets going, it's pretty drought tolerant for an annual and will give you masses of blue flowers all season. It's a truer blue than 'May Night'.
I'll vouch for Victoria Blue salvia. The color is great, but as gugsi mentioned, it's a later starter. Mine are only maturing now and I didn't get my first flowers until a couple of weeks ago. Still, what a blue! -- Craig
Delphiniums aren't crazy about hot, dry and sunny weather. They prefer light shade, especially in the afternoon, continuous moisture, and cool weather. Some sources say they will grow in full sun to partial shade, but full sun in Kansas is probably more than they can take. If you have a spot where they can get afternoon shade, with well-drained loamy soil, you could try them there.
This grows well in my garden - it's called speedwell.