Delphinium New Zealand
Content:
The article presents the New Zealand Delphinium: plant characteristics, full description, guidance on planting, growing, care, protection.
The New Zealand delphinium variety is an excellent perennial that can decorate and transform absolutely any personal plot. Now there is a great variety of varieties of this flower, but in order to get the desired result, some effort should be made in caring for it. The result will please you very much.
Delphinium New Zealand: description
Delphinium New Zealand: photo of a perennial flower
The perennial New Zealand delphinium is considered one of the most beautiful perennials, which can reach a height of up to two meters, and can also quite easily do without a transplant, growing in one place for up to 7-8 years. This flower has a structure of a dense, strong and high stem, covered with a large number of shoots, dissected leaves of a rich green hue, large inflorescences, which are collected in brushes, reaching a height of 70 centimeters. It is by the flowers that the perennial New Zealand delphinium is recognized, which most often consist of five sepals each separately, have a white tint, as well as cornflower blue, red, violet and purple, depending on the variety of this delphinium, but the buds are almost always similar in diameter - about 10 centimeters.
Delphinium New Zealand has another name - spur, thanks to the spurs present on its upper petals. The flowering period of this plant lasts from the end of June to the first half of August, and with the timely cutting of the faded brush, it is possible to achieve that the delphinium will give a second color in September. In the wild, this delphinium can be found growing in America and Europe. But by the cultural method, this plant is bred all over the world, the flower can grow in absolutely all countries with a predominance of warm climates.
Delphinium New Zealand: varieties and types
In our time, there are dozens of varieties bred by breeders of the perennial New Zealand delphinium. They have differences in color and height, but their growing and care features are almost always similar.
Let's take a look at some of the most common varieties:
- New Zealand Delphinium Giant
Delphinium New Zealand Giant: photo of the variety
The delphinium variety of the New Zealand Giant is characterized by a whole group of rather strong and tall varieties of this plant with very large inflorescences of a double structure. This delphinium can grow up to two meters in height, have a fairly abundant and lush flowering, and also quite long.
In the group of the New Zealand perennial Giant delphinium, varieties can be distinguished such as:
- Lime. This plant is over two meters tall and has white flowers with a yellow-green strip in the middle of each sepal. The variety has a fairly fast germination rate.
- Giant Azure. Quite a tall plant, reaching a height of two meters or more. The flowering period falls on June or July, with rather large flowers of a double structure and have an azure-bluish tint. The inflorescences of this variety are quite dense.
- Giant Night. A very strong, tall and stable delphinium that can reach heights of up to two meters. It has rather dense inflorescences of a dark purple color and with a white shade with an eye located in the center of each flower.
All plants of the Giant New Zealand delphinium group are unpretentious in cultivation and care, they can grow well in different weather conditions. During the mild winter season, these delphiniums are not required for shelter.
- New Zealand Delphinium Sweetheart
New Zealand delphinium Switharts: photo of the variety
Delphinium variety of New Zealand Sweetheart received an award from the English Royal Garden Society. It can grow up to two meters in height and is endowed with a fairly dense and abundant flowering. The flowers, in turn, are large and pink in color, and in their center are striped or pure white eyes. This subspecies has high decorative characteristics and looks great both in single and in group planting. The rules of cultivation and care do not differ from other varieties of delphinium, he also prefers humidity and survives frosts well, but he needs insulation for the winter period.
- Delphinium New Zealand Green Twist
New Zealand delphinium Green Twist: photo of the variety
The average height of this plant can reach about one and a half meters. Flowering begins in June and lasts until the beginning of autumn. The flowers have a snow-white color and double structure. A distinctive feature of the variety is the presence on its petals of faded strokes of a yellow hue, as well as in the middle of the inflorescence of a green eye. This delphinium variety is hardy enough to any weather conditions, but needs constant watering.
- Delphinium New Zealand Pagan Parples
New Zealand delphinium Pagan Parples: photo of the variety
This variety is distinguished by its height, which can be up to 1.9 meters, and large flowers with a double structure. The flowers have a bright purple color. This flower looks great both in single and in group plantings. Care for this plant requires a standard, delphinium can easily survive frosts and poor lands, but needs constant watering.
- New Zealand Perennial Delphinium Cobalt Dreams
New Zealand delphinium: photo of the variety
One of the artificial varieties of this plant. The flowers of this delphinium are endowed with a dark blue tint with a whitish center in the middle. Have a great view in landscape design. It is possible to cultivate this plant in almost any weather conditions, since with high-quality care this variety can quite successfully endure frosts, while maintaining its health and decorative qualities.
- Delphinium New Mollenium Mini Stars
New Zealand delphinium: photo of the variety
This variety is most often sold as a flower mixture, which consists of four shades: blue, lilac, purple and dark pink. This variety is characterized as a dwarf subspecies, since the height of its rather strong peduncles is often no more than 70 centimeters, and for a plant such as a delphinium, this size is quite small. But this plant has rather large flowers in size, about 9 centimeters. A distinctive feature of the variety is that it can be grown not only in open space, but also in separate containers on the balcony, and at home in pots.
- New Zealand delphinium Black Eyed Angels
New Zealand delphinium: photo of the variety
Literally translated, the name of this variety sounds like black-eyed angels. And the flowers received this name not in vain, but due to their beautiful and interesting appearance. The flowers are quite large in size, have a snow-white shade and an anthracite-black core.On average, this plant can grow up to 1.2 meters tall. The stems of this delphinium are quite dense and strong, the flowers grow on them quite densely and are endowed with a diameter of about 8 centimeters.
- Perennial New Zealand delphinium Double Innosens
New Zealand delphinium: photo of the variety
This subspecies belongs to the New Millennium group of varieties and is distinguished by its large flowers, reaching 4 centimeters in diameter, with a double structure and snow-white color. The flowers of this variety are collected in inflorescences that bloom in the middle of the summer season. It is worth noting that the flowering period of this subspecies is quite long, since on the branches of this plant there is an exchange process of withering flowers for young peduncles. The subspecies is endowed with a high level of frost resistance, so it can do even without shelter in winter.
- New Zealand delphinium Blue Lays
New Zealand delphinium: photo of the variety
The flowers of this variety are quite large, very beautiful and endowed with a flight structure, a light purple color with a more intense blue tint near the edges of the sepals, and a yellow core. The plant can reach one and a half meters in height. The flowering period is quite colorful, bright and abundant. The subspecies is distinguished by a high level of cold tolerance and unpretentiousness in cultivation and care.
How to plant a New Zealand Delphinium correctly: planting a variety
New Zealand delphinium: photo of the variety
The cultivation of the New Zealand delphinium does not cause any particular difficulties. You just need to follow the basic rules for planting and leaving.
- Preparing the site for growing. This delphinium prefers sufficiently lit areas for growth, so choose a place for planting it that is quite sunny, or with a little partial shade. This plant does not have special requirements for the composition of the soil, but slightly acidic or neutral loams and sandy loam soils will still be the best option. Delphinium is extremely negative about moisture stagnation, therefore, drainage should be done before planting. When preparing the planting hole for this plant, it should be remembered that it should be about half a meter deep, and approximately 40 centimeters in diameter. Half a bucket of compost and one glass of ordinary ash, plus mineral complex fertilizers, are poured into each hole. A hole for planting should be prepared in advance for several days, so that the fertilizers can be well absorbed by the soil. If you are going to plant several such plants at once, then the distance between plantings should be about 65 centimeters.
- Features of the landing of the delphinium. The best period of time for planting this plant is considered late spring, after the last frost. Although this plant has a high level of frost tolerance, young plants can suffer from frost damage. The seedlings are rather carefully removed from their containers, and the soil should be well soaked before that. The plant, along with the remnants of the soil, is transferred to a previously prepared hole. The roots are very neatly straightened and covered with soil.
After all these actions, the plant needs to be watered well. After that, as experienced gardeners advise, young plants need to be covered for the first time with a glass jar or plastic wrap in order to increase the humidity and thereby contribute to the fastest rooting and adaptation. Such a shelter is removed at the moment when the plant begins to grow so intensively.
Delphinium New Zealand: caring for a perennial plant
- Top dressing and watering. Delphinium New Zealand is a rather moisture-loving plant, therefore it needs constant watering. Moistening the ground under this plant is required regularly as it dries, so that the soil is constantly slightly moist.But at the same time, the stagnation of the liquid at the root system should not be allowed so that the death of the delphinium does not happen. In the hot summer season, the soil dries out quickly enough, so the amount of watering should be increased. After the seedlings grow up to 20 centimeters, you can make the first top dressing. To do this, it would be best to dilute organic manure in a liquid, and then simply water the plant with such a solution, then loosen the soil and carry out weeding.
- Pruning... When the plant reaches a certain height, it needs to carry out the pruning and thinning procedure. Thanks to this, the New Zealand delphinium bushes will not only receive a higher level of decorativeness, but also the quality of flowering will increase. After such a procedure, the plant does not spend a lot of energy on feeding and maintaining extra stems and begins to give a rather lush and abundant color, and the flowers begin to acquire a brighter shade and larger size. Pruning begins when the plant reaches a height of more than 25 centimeters. Moreover, only up to five shoots can remain on one bush. Thus, the distribution of nutrients is much better, and air circulation inside the bush increases. In addition to extra stems, it is worth removing thin, weak and damaged shoots that grow very close to the soil surface. After trimming, it is required to process all sections with crushed activated carbon to avoid decay.
- Preparing for the winter period. The perennial New Zealand delphinium has such an important feature as a high level of frost resistance. Although with the arrival of the winter period, its surface part dies off steadily. That is why trying to keep the branches is completely pointless and useless. After the end of the flowering period and the drying of the foliage, the stems must be trimmed so that about 30 centimeters remain from the soil. To prevent decay of the slices in the autumn, they should be covered with clay, and immediately after such pruning. This plant can quite safely do without shelter in winter, but experienced gardeners still advise taking measures to protect the delphinium in regions with little snow cover. To do this, the plant is thrown with straw or coniferous branches, this will insulate the ground and avoid freezing of the root system, in the absence of a sufficient layer of snow.
Reproduction
Growing New Zealand Delphinium from seeds is considered one of the simplest breeding methods. Seeds should be harvested in the autumn after the end of the flowering period. After that, the seeds are pre-soaked and sown in special containers. Approximately two weeks pass before the seeds germinate, after which it remains only to follow the rules for caring for these sprouts until the onset of the spring period, then they are already planted in an open space. But it is worth knowing that the seed method also has its drawbacks, such as: not always seedlings can inherit all maternal characteristics and qualities, so their decorative abilities may be worse.
Another fairly easy and effective way of reproduction is considered to be the division of an adult bush. It happens like this:
- A plant that has reached the age of four years is chosen for this procedure, since the roots of younger plants are insufficiently developed, and older plants are rather poorly adapted and take root during transplantation.
- This procedure can be done both in the spring and in the autumn. In the case of division in the spring, the plant is dug up when new leaves begin to form on its stems. And when dividing in the fall, this is done after the end of the flowering period and before the seed begins to ripen.
- Delphinium New Zealand is carefully dug up and rather carefully cut the root system into several separate parts, and each division should be endowed with a healthy and very strong stem, at least one more dormant bud and sufficiently developed roots without damage.
- These delenki are planted in pre-prepared pits, watered well and continue to look after in the usual way.
Often, this plant begins to give color already in the next year.
During the procedure for dividing an adult of this plant, it is not necessary to leave several pieces of growth buds at once, this perennial has a rather rapid and active development, which is why it is quite possible to grow a healthy and beautiful new plant from the division on which one bud is present.
Among the common methods of propagation of this plant, cuttings can still be distinguished:
- In the spring, it is required to cut off several pieces of upper new shoots from an adult plant, the length of which is about 10 centimeters.
- A portion of the root tissue should be left at each cutting.
- The cuttings are soaked in a growth stimulator for about a day, and then they are planted in separate containers, using a mixture in the form of soil in the same proportion of fine sand and peat.
- Part of the root tissue left is required to be dug to a depth of about two centimeters, then, after planting, the shoots are well watered, then the plantings are covered with a glass jar or plastic wrap.
- The cuttings are placed in the shade, but so that the air temperature is about 23 degrees. After that, in order for the cutting to take root well and adapt, it takes about five weeks.
Within one year, cuttings are grown in closed containers so that they can grow well, and the next spring they are planted in an open area according to the usual planting scheme.
How to grow New Zealand Delphinium from seeds
Most often, the New Zealand perennial delphinium is grown from seeds. If this is your first time planting this plant, then the seeds can be easily found and purchased at a specialized store. If you already have this perennial growing, then you can collect the seeds yourself at the end of the flowering period. We recommend purchasing seeds from trusted suppliers, and self-picking is best done in fairly dry weather, at the moment when the fruits become brown and fully ripe.
- Before planting in the soil, seeds, whether purchased or collected on their own, need to be soaked in order to increase their germination. To do this, the seeds are placed in a damp gauze cloth and sent to the refrigerator for about one week. The gauze should be checked constantly and, if necessary, moistened again.
- After the seeds have swollen, they begin to be sown in seedling containers. To do this, pits are made in the soil up to 3 millimeters deep, seeds are placed there and covered with soil, tamping a little.
- After planting, the seedlings need to be watered well. The best option would be spraying with settled water, so that the seeds do not wash out. After that, it is worth pulling a film over the container and placing the containers with seedlings in a warm and sufficiently lit place, with an air temperature of about 15 degrees. After three days, the containers should be placed in a cool place overnight. If you did everything correctly, you will see seedlings in two weeks.
After that, the film is removed from the containers, the seedlings are watered and in the future, as the soil dries up, watering is also carried out. After the formation of three full-fledged leaves in the sprouts, the seedlings need to dive - transplant them into separate containers filled with nutritious and loose soil. And only after the sprouts have matured enough, they can be planted in an open space.But first prepare the sprouts for planting, for this you need to periodically take out the seedlings to fresh air, gradually increasing the time the seedlings stay in the air.
Diseases and pests
Absolutely not capricious and beautiful perennial New Zealand delphinium is still vulnerable to some dangerous pests and diseases.
The most common and dangerous diseases for him are:
- Powdery mildew... Quite a dangerous disease that can destroy all plant shoots in just a few days.
- Black spot... Another dangerous disease that can not only deprive the delphinium of its decorative qualities, but also destroy the plant as a whole.
To get rid of harmful fungi, the plant should be sprayed with special chemicals, such as, for example, Fundazol or Topaz. But in order for this to bring the proper effect, you need to do this procedure as soon as you notice the first manifestations of the disease.
Of the harmful insects that attack the perennial New Zealand Delphinium, slugs and the delphinium fly are considered. They feed on the green parts of this delphinium and are able to destroy the entire plant. To combat these harmful insects, insecticides are used, for example, Karbofos or Actellik. But it is best to start the measures to combat in advance, even before it begins. To do this, it is worth spraying this plant in preventive measures and then this flower will delight you with its color.
Perennial New Zealand delphinium: reviews
On the Internet, you can read a huge number of reviews about the New Zealand delphinium. Here are some of them:
- I consider the giant New Zealand delphinium one of my main favorites in the garden. I have been cultivating it for about five years now and admire its beautiful and lush bloom every year. And the good news is that there is practically no need to take care of him.
Irina, 53 years old- I have several varieties of the New Zealand delphinium growing on my site at once. I am very pleased with the fact that the plant is not whimsical at all, plus abundant and delightful flowering. I advise everyone. I consider it a real decoration of any site.
Tatiana, 45 years old- The first time I decided to plant this plant three years ago. I did not have to regret this decision at all. I was surprised that with minimal care, the New Zealand delphinium produces such a gorgeous and abundant flowering, and even continues until autumn.
Elena, 41 years old
Delphinium New Zealand: video about the plant
