Delphinium elatum

‘Dowdeswell’s Mix’

N.Z. DOWDESWELL DELPHINIUMS MIX

Delphinium elatum ‘Dowdeswell’s Mix’
N.Z. DOWDESWELL DELPHINIUMS MIX

Delphinium elatum ‘Dowdeswell’s Mix’ is a blend of seed gathered from all the beautiful N.Z. Dowdeswell Delphiniums gracing our garden.

Spires of double & single flowers in glorious colours  

The plants are open-pollinated, so the bees will have had their fun, and you will get a great mix of colours.
Plus a mix of double, semi-double and single flowers.
But all on glorious, towering spires.

Mix of lovely colours

Delphinium elatum ‘Dowdeswell’s Mix’ come in a range of lovely Delphinium colours – dark and sky blue; pinks and rose; purples and lilac.
It is pot luck and lots of fun.

Standing stout strong and tall

Flower stems are strong, stout and tall, reaching 1.5 to 1.8m.
There is nothing flimsy about these double stars.

Weather hardy NZ breeding

The stems of Dowdeswell NZ Delphiniums are sturdier, stronger, more compact and weather hardy than earlier breeds.
Plus the plants are soundly perennial and long-lived, rather than weak and tending to fizzle out after a couple of seasons.

World beating new Dowdeswell NZ variety

These wonderful Delphiniums were developed in NZ by world renowned breeders, Terry and Janice Dowdeswell, with their groundbreaking work now being carried on by Jason and Katrina.
The Dowdeswell’s Delphiniums have conquered the world, beating the European flower breeders at their own game. Go little NZ.

Robust growers

The Dowdeswell NZ Delphiniums have taken the world by storm.
Because they can’t be beaten for beauty as well as tall, vigorous, robust growth.
There are no shrinking violets tolerated in the NZ breeding programme.

Heat tolerant Dowdeswell Delphinium

Dowdeswell NZ Delphiniums are also bred to be more heat tolerant, so they cope well in Australian gardens, and stand up to the summer heat much better than older varieties.
Plus they are more tolerant of summer humidity than normal Delphiniums, as well as being robustly cold tolerant too.
So the Dowdeswell and Hindmarsh families have covered everything we need in their breeding programme.

Dowdeswell Delphiniums are also longer blooming

The Dowdeswell NZ Delphiniums have also bred for enhanced length of blooming season, way beyond the normal season of older Delphinium varieties.

And you can encourage even more rapid repeat blooms through summer, by shearing the spent flower stalk back to the base after initial flowering.
Then also giving a feed mid-summer to encourage even bigger and better continuing spires.

Superb cut flower & garden display

Delphinium elatum ‘Dowdeswell’s Mix’ gives impressive cut flowers, as well as spectacular garden shows. So these are spires to brag about to all gardening friends at every opportunity.

Superior frost, heat & summer humidity

Plant in a Full Sun to Part Shade garden position.
‘Dowdeswell’s Mix’ are very frost hardy, as well as being more tolerant of heat and humidity than normal Delphiniums.

So they are easy growing, low maintenance plants, and will repay spring and summer applications of fertilizer, compost and mulch with ever more stunning spires. Worth every effort.

Stronger flower stems

Though in windy sites it pays to provide some support, such as a frame of sticks for the spires to grow through.
And remember to protect the newly emerging growth from snails in early spring.

Much branched spires of 1.5-1.8m. High  x 45cm Wide foliage clump.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Sow 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.

Sow the pre-sprouted seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
And cover with 5mm of sieved mix or sandy grit.

Then keep consistently moist in a warm, well lit position, or on a heat mat.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic cover will also help to maintain consistent moisture and prevent drying out.

Temperatures of 15-20°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.

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

Seed Count: 10 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve).

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