Delphiniums! On Chelsea flower show.

Artytarty

Who was watching Alan Titchmarsh at the Chelsea flower show last night?
I was blown away by the delphiniums! Stunning!
I have about two dwarf ones but the are nothing compared to the 6 ft tall specimens shown on TV.
I have a fairly sheltered rear garden with a 6ft 6 fence.Quite big, I think I can find the space OK.
Can anybody tell me if I can buy the plants easily or grown from seed?If so when?
I am so impatient hahah! I have made it my goal to have some of these full sized ones in my garden. I suppose it is too late for this summer though.
Does anybody grow them who would like to advise?
Thanks, Arty.

Barneysmom

Aren't they amazing flowers!
I put some in last year but the horrible winter we just had has wiped them out (them and other lovely plants I had)

These ones look good, I might get some when we move house, and put them in big pots so I can protect them in winter, I'm not buying any more plants for this garden....

http://www.thompson-morgan.com/plants1/group/delphinium.html

Artytarty

thanks for the link! Pacific Giant seem to be the tallest they have at 4-5feet.
Probably tall enough for me really, but the taller ones could be glimpsed over the fence! and from way back in the house.

heynonnynonny

I saw them, they were stunning, couldn't believe how tall they were :

Waterlily24

They were gorgeous weren't they.

I tried to grow some from seed this year, Pacific Giants Mixed, I didn't read the packet properly, it says to cover with glass, polythene or a propagator lid (guess what I didn't lol). About 10 came up though so we'll be planting them out. It says Sept - Oct on the packet.

On the packet it says seedlings will appear in 21 - 42 days. eek!!!

bertiebots

I love these flowers and despite planting 6 lots of seeds none have germinated..even after the 42 days it says on the packet! I think I may have to buy some plants ....but will probably have to leave it till next year as the "space" I had is now full lol!
I grew some from seed in my first ever garden about 15 years ago and they grew to about 4-5 ft high, I just dont think seeds are as reliable as they used to be.
The seeds cost me about £2 and it would cost about the same to buy a plant from the local garden centre so if you want a flowering plant this year (unless you grow first year flowering variety seeds) I would say buy a plant.

heynonnynonny

I have pacific giant too I think the seeds were extremely cheap from netto, 19p in fact, sowed directly a week or so ago, excited to see what happens!

tootallulah

I grew mine from seed last summer and planted them out in September, they have survived the winter and are about to flower, they are beautiful and majestic flowers. It does take them to the second year to flower but tafter that they are perennials and return each year with no effort.

lostinrates

http://www.blackmore-langdon.com/default.asp

I think this might be the nursery with the big delphiniums? They are beautiful. I'm afraid my budget will only run to the more common types though! I love them, ours are very reliable here, and ope will with out fairly windy garden.

dogstarheaven

hi... mine survived over the winter surprisingly and there's only one out of three now. last yr, they bloomed about 4ft tall, but with the strong winds they kept falling over. this yr, i've put a plant support around it so this will help prevent them from doing it again. i haven't grown these from seed only bought plants that were about £1 each from my local market (nott'm). this is the cheapest i've ever found them as they're normally about £4 or so a pot. i know once you have an plant established you can actually propagate them by basal cuttings, but i think that's done in early spring.