Giant strides can be made in January
New year, new hopes, new expectations. And even in early January perhaps a gardener’s fancy turns to thoughts of the flowers of summer.
There are plenty of Britain’s finest blooms that can begin their lives in the cold, dark days of mid-winter. Sweet peas and pelargoniums spring to mind, but they are not the only joys of summer to be sown now – add delphiniums to that list.
These giants of the summer border are relatively easy to raise from seed, although not all varieties will flower the first year.
Their seed germinate easily and grow quickly. Simply sprinkle the seed into small pots or a seed tray, cover with a little compost and spray to dampen. Then place them in a propagator or cover them with a plastic bag.
Germination is best at quite low temperatures (15-20C) and providing the seed is kept moist, signs of fresh life should be visible within 14 days.
As soon as the seedlings are established, take them out of their propagator and grow them on in a greenhouse or conservatory where there is plenty of light but not too much heat. Keep the compost moist but not wet and prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to pop into individual pots.
Once the risk of frost has passed, and the plants are of a reasonable size, plant them out. The biggest danger then is the slug – some form of protection is essential if you don’t want all your hard work to end in tears.
In July, the delphinium should be one of the marvels of the border; a giant of a flower capable of putting to shame all other flowers. That’s why it’s best to grow it unopposed, in large, bold clumps or in splendid isolation against a wall or fence bathed in sunshine and where the soil has been beefed up with plenty of nutrients because this is a flower with a big appetite.
Once established, a delphinium should (hopefully) come back each year.