Larkspur Hyacinth (Delphinium)

Delphinium are a favourite in cottage gardens. Both perennial and annual varieties are available. The common name is larkspur. They are happiest in full sun and may need staking as they grow very tall. I have never done this however and have never had a spire snap off. They prefer a rich soil which doesn’t dry out or become waterlogged.

This morning I have sown seeds of Larkspur Hyacinth both indoors in modules and outside. This variety is an annual so I shall need to bear in mind to let one late spire go to seed to collect for next year. Hyacinth is a mixture of pink, white and red if I remember correctly. The seeds I have are old now and so I’m just going for it and crossing my fingers for some success. I used to have a beautiful deep blue variety in my red white and blue pot but I fear they are long gone. I purchased these seeds a few years ago from Country Garden www.countrygardenuk.com A brilliant seed company with a wealth of information about happy gardening and amazing flower photography.

Young plants are available out there and these can be planted out in Spring after the risk of frost has passed.

Once established and in full flower cut back faded flower spikes to small flowering side shoots to encourage a second flush of flowers. In autumn cut down all growth to ground level after it has died back.

Divide overcrowded plants every 3 to 4 years as new growth begins in spring, lifting the plants and dividing them into smaller clumps.

Balsam Dwarf Bush Mixed

These are seeds that I have had success with before. They were purchased from Seekay Horticultural Supplies in 2017. Yes. They are old. I have sown them in a plastic container with drainage holes and hey presto over a dozen seedlings have popped through. I am very pleased as I remember the plants being quite substantial although they are called dwarf. I shall grow them on now and by the summer hopefully have a good show of flowers.

Borage – Star Flower

I’ve had less success with the old Borage seeds but if I can grow on the four seedlings that have popped through I shall get four enormous plants and be able to collect seeds at the end of the growing season. I love Borage. It has a wonderful blue colour and is a magnet to bees and other pollenating insects. Commonly called Star Flower it is useful to vegetable growers and our allotment is where I first grew this strong attractive plant. Update 29th April – Two healthy seedlings potted on today.