Delphinium elatum

‘Cherry Blossom’

CHERRY BLOSSOM DELPHINIUMS

Delphinium elatum ‘Cherry Blossom’
CHERRY BLOSSOM DELPHINIUMS

Delphinium elatum ‘Cherry Blossom’ has delightfully soft, antique shades of dusky pink.

Classic cottage spires but with better growing

‘Cherry Blossom’ is a member of the modern breed of “Magic Fountains” Delphiniums.
So it remains everyone’s dream of olde-worlde garden spires, but with superior modern qualities in growing and flowering.

Layers of semi-double petals in antique dusky pink 

The flowers of ‘Cherry Blossom’ are superb, with multiple layers of petals.
Each flower is layered in soft shades of dusky pink and lilac – like pieces of antique fabric.

With white “bees”  

The semi-double flowers are each adorned with a white central “bee” (the little button of petals in the centre of all double Delphinium flowers is known as a “bee”).

Beautifully coloured spires but now also have …….

“Magic Fountains” Delphiniums have improved breeding for
Larger flowers
Each individual flower is now larger.
Blooms more lusciously packed up tall spires
While the flowers are more closely packed up the spires – giving a lush, rich look.
Weather hardy & garden worthy stems
Delphinium elatum ‘Cherry Blossom’ has stouter flower stems.
And shorter at 75-90cm. tall.
More wind resistant
So the stouter, shorter spires of ‘Cherry Blossom’ are more wind and weather resistant.
Though of course all Delphiniums in windy sites will require some help from stakes or tripods (I find the metal frames used for tomatoes very useful).
More heat resistant
Yet another handy quality about “Magic Fountains” Delphiniums – they are specially bred more heat tolerant than older varieties.

Superb cut flower & garden display

Plants of ‘Cherry Blossom’ give impressive cut flowers, as well as a spectacular garden show, or feature in a pot.

Sturdier flower stems for florists & gardeners

Just a few cut spires make majestic arrangements.
Their spires usually reach approximately 75-90m. with stout stems, making then easier to manage in the ground and easier in floral arrangements, than more towering varieties.

Suits large pots

Because of their compact but vigorous growth, ‘Cherry Blossom’ Delphiniums are well suited to growing in pots and tubs.
‘Cherry Blossom’ is one of the most dwarf of the large spired Delphiniums.

Foil the snails

Pot growing also helps to protect them from snails – just pop a copper strip around the pot (available at hardware stores) – hey presto – no more chewing by snails.

Frost hardy in Sun to Part Shade

Plant in a Full Sun to Part Shade, in either the commercial flower field, garden position or pot.

Frost hardy & robust growers

Delphinium elatum ‘Cherry Blossom’ are very frost hardy, robust, easy growing plants, that do well without lots of extra pampering.

Easy growing perennials

These easy growing perennials repay spring and summer applications of fertilizer, compost and mulch – with ever more stunning spires. Worth every effort in extra soil fertility to enjoy bumper spires.

Quick from seed to flower in the first year

The ‘Magic Fountains” family of Delphiniums have been specially developed to grow from seed to flowering size within the first year after sowing.
So get started early in the season to see the first flowers that summer.

Easy maintenance

Remember to protect the newly emerging growth from snails in early spring.
Cut spent flower spires to bring on the next crop of branching spires.
Then if you like to tidy up – cut the clumps to the ground in early winter.
That’s it.

Bee & pollinator friendly

Pollinators, especially bees and butterflies, find the towers of flowers delightful high rise super-markets of nectar.

Rabbit & deer resistant

Rabbits and deer rarely if ever touch Delphinium plants.
Of course no plant is ever completely proof if the nibbling pests are starving, but they usually avoid Delphiniums.
No doubt they are aware that eating too much Delphinium can have toxic side-effects.

Long lived perennial

Much branched spires of 75 to 90m. High flower spires  x 75cm Wide foliage clump.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Sow Delphinium seeds in autumn, winter or spring, whenever suitable temperatures can be provided.

Delphinium seeds are easy and quick to germinate, even more so by using a special trick to convince them they have had a very fast winter.

Seed Sowing Tip: So first place seeds on wet coffee filter paper (or paper towel can be used, but coffee filters are a finer texture).
Then fold the coffee filter over so the seeds are enclosed between 2 wet sheets.

Now place the folded, wet coffee filter in a sealed plastic bag (a clip-lock bag is perfect).
And place the sealed plastic bag in fridge for about 36 hours (in the fridge, not freezer).

Then each day check if the seeds have begun to sprout.
You will see a little white shoot beginning to emerge.
Seeds may sprout as early as 3 days and usually take up to 5 days.

Once you see the first seeds sprouting – remove from fridge and filter paper and sow seeds in their punnet. They are easy to pick up off the coffee filter with tweezers.

Or you can just sow as normal

Or you can skip the step above and just sow as normal and just wait a little longer.

First sow the seeds (pre-sprouted or not) in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
And gently pat to ensure good contact with the surface of the mix.
Now lightly cover with 5mm of sieved mix, sandy grit or fine vermiculite.

Thoroughly moisten the punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath.
And allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Then place in a warm, well lit position (not in any direct sunlight).
You can also use a heat mat to maintain warmth.
Temperatures of 15-20°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.

Continue to keep the punnet consistently moist by misting regularly with a spray water-bottle.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic cover will also help to maintain consistent moisture and prevent drying out.

Seedlings emerge in approx. 30 days.
But do not discard the punnet, as some seeds may come later.

Seed Count: 15 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve).

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