DELPHINIUMS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 179, 26 April 1941, Page 14

DELPHINIUMS

Plant Crowns Now

If you have a sunny situation, sheltered from the prevailing winds, a clump of delphiniums will add much to the charm of your garden. When it is well grown nothing excels the delphinium in stateliness and beauty. The tall flower spikes stand well above the foliage, and are very striking, ranging in colour from pale to dark blue, and from lavender to mauve and mauve-pink. In cold soils it is best, planted now. Two-.vear-old crowns give quickest results. Take out deep holes and fill in with better material. Well-rotted manure is an excellent, addition, for the delphinium requires feeding. Contrary to general belief, delphiniums are hot fond of lime. A neutral soil, 1.e., neither acid nor alkaline, suits them best. <

When growth begins in spring, slugs lire very troublesome but addressing of sharp cinders round the crowns of the plants helps to ward them off. Trapping with orange peel, bran or some other bait should be tried also. During the growing season keep young plants supplied with water if the weather is dry. Plants that have been in the ground for years do not suffer so severely from drought. Weak liquid manure applied occasionally will help to provide large blooms and improve the colour of the flowers.

The roots of, shrubs lifted for transplanting should never be exposed for even a few minutes to the wind and sun. Have a piece of moist sacking ready, and when the plant is moved from the ground wrap its roots immediately. If the shrub eomee from a nurseryman wrapped in sacking, place it in a tub without removing the sacking, and pour in a little water at a time until it will absorb no more.