Delphinium belladonna Casablanca seeds - Larkspur

Sow 'Casablanca' Delphinium seeds directly outside, from April to May, in full sun, on a fertile, light, well-drained soil, well loosened beforehand. Bury the fine seeds to a depth of 6 mm in small holes spaced 30 cm apart. Keep the soil moist by watering regularly, especially during dry periods. Germination generally takes 14 to 21 days. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, thin out by planting only one young plant every 15 cm.

For earlier flowering, sow Delphinium seeds from August to October in 7.5 cm pots in good quality soil kept moist. Place the pots in a propagator or inside a plastic bag at a temperature of 15-20 °C until germination. Once the seedlings have developed, place them in a bright, but cooler location. Overwinter the plants in a cool, bright place, protected from frost by watering them sparingly. Transplant them to their final location the following spring. Water regularly until the plants are fully established.

Remove faded flowers to encourage more. Delphiniums thrive in sunny locations, sheltered from the wind, as well as in fertile soil, rich in organic matter and well-drained. Soil that is too wet or too dry is detrimental to the growth and flowering duration of the larkspur.

Plant Delphinium belladonna in spring and autumn in the ground or in a container. Make sure the container is large enough to accommodate it (50 cm x 50 cm) and keep it away from strong winds. Delphiniums are easy to grow but do have essential requirements: they dislike very clayey and wet soils, as well as dry and poor soils. The soil that suits them is good black soil, rich in humus, non-compact, moist, even in summer, but not waterlogged in winter. They also enjoy being in the sun.

The hybrid belladonna Delphiniums allow you to appreciate these plants differently, finding them faithfully where you expect them, for several years, without daily distribution of slug pellets.