Delphinium Delgenius Collection

• Grow in a fertile, well-drained but moisture-retentive soil in full sun
• Shelter from strong winds and provide stakes or other supports if needed

On arrival:

• Unpack the plants straight away and remove all packaging carefully, especially from around the stems and foliage
• Check the compost. If it feels dry, give the pots a light watering and allow excess water to drain away
• Stand them in a bright, sheltered spot outdoors if conditions are mild, or in a protected place such as a cold greenhouse, porch or sheltered patio for a few days if the weather is harsh
• If they cannot be planted immediately, keep the compost lightly moist but not soggy and do not leave the pots sitting in trays of water
• Watch for slugs and snails from the very start, as fresh delphinium growth can be especially tempting to them

How to plant:

• Plant in a sunny, sheltered position where the flower spikes will be protected from strong winds, as delphiniums perform best in full sun and can suffer if exposed or shaded
• Choose fertile, moist but well-drained soil. If the soil is heavy, improve drainage before planting by mixing in garden compost and, where needed, some grit, as delphiniums dislike sitting wet in winter
• Dig a hole slightly wider than the pot, set the plant in so the top of the rootball sits level with the soil surface, then backfill and firm gently
• Water in thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the roots
• Leave enough room between plants for air movement and future growth, as delphiniums do not thrive when overcrowded

Ongoing care

• Water during dry spells, especially through spring and summer while they are actively growing and flowering. They prefer soil that stays lightly moist, not baked dry or waterlogged
• Feed regularly during the growing season to support strong stems and a better flower display
• Keep an eye on slugs and snails, particularly in spring when the fresh shoots emerge, as this is one of the main problems with delphiniums
• Deadhead spent flower spikes once the first flush is over. Cutting them back can encourage a second, smaller flush of flowers later in the season
• In autumn or once growth dies back, cut the old stems down. A mulch of compost, leaf mould or well-rotted organic matter around the base helps feed the plant and support next year’s performance

Please allow us 3-5 working days to dispatch your order. Pre-ordered items will be sent as soon as possible after the date quoted and we'll generally ship your entire order with your pre-ordered items. When your order is dispatched, we'll send you another email with details of how to track it.

Most orders are sent on a fully-tracked courier service with Yodel. To avoid perishable items being stuck at depots and deteriorating, no signature is required, and our courier is asked to leave your order in a safe place on your property.

We'll send a tracking link when we dispatch your order, so you know when its due to arrive. Please note, once delivered we cannot be held responsible for loss or theft from your property. If you have any specific delivery instructions, please let us know - there's an option to enter a short message for the courier at the checkout.

Smaller, lighter, single-item orders may be sent through the post with Royal Mail - in which case no tracking is available.

Our experienced nursery team will always send your plants nursery fresh in the perfect condition to thrive when you plant them, so although most plants are very tough and will not be affected by all but the most extreme frosts or heatwaves, we avoid dispatching the most perishable plants if extreme weather is forecast, or over Bank Holiday weekends.

Please note, we cannot guarantee delivery on a certain day or time. Delivery to outlying postcode areas may take 1-2 days longer, dependent on your location.