Delphiniums belong to the same family of plants as many other popular garden subjects -- Anemones, Hellebores, Aconitums, Clematis and Columbines to name a few. The family is called the buttercup family, also known as Ranunculaceae.
They are among some of the hardier perennials, surviving the Canadian praries both in terms of winter cold and summer heat blasts. They are relatively easy to grow, although there are tricks to help them along, and I hope this article will help you grow them well in your garden because they really are worth it.
Delphinium species
There are about 250 species of Delphinium in the whole world. There are annuals, biennials and perennials. Delphinium cardinale is a red perennial species from the western United States. Delphinium zalil flowers in yellow, and is from Iran. Delphinium elatum is a blue-flowered species from South and Central Europe to Siberia. This plant has provided most of the ancestry of modern hybrid delphiniums.
Hybrid Delphiniums
Pacific Giants are the most commonly available delphiniums both from seeds and plants in North America, but they are not necessarily the best. Many people find the plants grow too tall, requiring alot of staking. Others claim that Pacific Giants have lost their vigour and are "not the Pacific Giants you used to get." Could be true, but regardless of that I know you could find much better strains for your garden than this common variety if you searched around a bit. The Pacific Giants are named for King Alfred and his cohorts.
Connecticut Yankees is a strain of shorter Delphiniums, growing more popular with gardeners who are getting sick of staking. I don't think you can totally avoid staking or supporting with Delphiniums, but I have provided a few tips on lessening the need for staking below.
Within each strain there are numerous named varieties, and if you let Delphiniums seed themselves in your own garden you may get many more to boot. There are too many types to start naming them here though.
For an alternative to these commonly available varieties, check out Dowdeswell's Delphiniums.
WHAT DELPHINIUMS LIKE
Delphiniums prefer full sun, but can be successful in dappled shade as well, as long as they are given adequate wide spacing.
Protection from high winds with tall, loose shrubs or small trees is a good idea.
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