The author of the text is Dr. Regina Dębicz
Ostróżki are among the most magnificent and beautiful perennials. The garden delphinium, Delphinium cultorum, is the most commonly grown.Plants of this species, reaching a height of 100-200 centimeters, are among the tallest garden perennials.Their flowers, single or full, with a characteristic spur, are gathered in magnificent clusters (sometimes branching in lower part), up to 100 centimeters long.
The flowers can be blue, purple, pink, white, all in different shades, but also two-color.The delphiniums bloom at the beginning of summer, and after trimming again in autumn.
Varietal groups
The Belladonna group includes varieties of 80-140 centimeters tall with loose, branched inflorescences. This group is represented by 'Atlantis' and 'Bellamosum' - dark blue, 'Capri' - light blue with a white eye, 'Casa Blanca' - white, 'Cliveden Beatry' and 'Sommerfrische' - light blue, 'Piccolo' - purple with a white eye, 'Sternenhimmel' - dark blue with white eyelet.
The Elatum group includes varieties of height 140-200 centimeters with long, little branched inflorescences with large, densely embedded flowers. This group has the most varieties, for example 'Ariel' - light blue with a white eye, 'Harlekin' - dark blue with a black eye, 'Junior' - light blue with a dark eye, 'Sommerabend' - blue with a dark eye, 'Ulrike zur Linden' - white half-full, 'Barbaskyblue' - violet blue, 'Garden Party' - light pink with a white eye, 'Miss Newton Leese' - cream-light blue with a dark eye, 'Cymbeline' - dark pink with a white eye.
In the Pacific group there are tall varieties, 100-180 centimeters, with thick, strong, usually unbranched inflorescences with densely arranged, large, semi-double or full flowers. all 'Astolat' - full pink, 'Blackt Knight' - full dark blue, 'Blue Bird' - full light blue, 'Galahad' - full white and 'Summer Skies' - full blue blue.
Requirements and care treatments
All hybrid larkspur varieties require deeply cultivated, coarse soil and moderately moist during the growing season. They grow best in fertile, humus and non-acidic soil.Fertilize the plants in spring with multi-component fertilizers, but be careful that the doses are not too high.Larkspots suit a sunny, slightly shaded position. In the shade, the plants are bulky and bloom very little or not at all.
Very tall varieties, creating magnificent inflorescences, must be tied (stakes), because the shoots lie down under the influence of wind and rain.
An important care procedure is to trim the faded shoots 15 centimeters above the ground so that new shoots will grow and the plants will bloom again.This second flowering, in September, although weaker, is also effective.The delphiniums do not require protection for the winter.
Dangerous diseases
Powdery mildew is one of the most dangerous fungal diseases that attack the larkspur.We will fight it if, after noticing the first symptomsplant , we spray with a fungicide.Another fungal disease is also dangerous: gangrene of the shoot base, causing the plant to suddenly wilt and die. We can prevent this disease by spraying the roots of the shoots with appropriate agents.
If black irregular spots appear on stems, leaves and flowers, they may be a symptom of black leaf spot, a bacterial disease that we fight by spraying the affected plants with Copper or Copper Extra several times.
Application
Plant delphiniums individually or in small groups (2-3 pieces each) on perennial beds. They look good in the company of tall perennial bells, chalcedonian flannel, great golden chrysanthemum and daylilies.They look impressive against the background of white or pink roses and other vines.We also plant them along fences and in groups on the lawn (using one or several varieties). Varieties from the Elatum and Belladonna groups are suitable for discounts.
Ostróżki, and especially varieties from the Pacific group, are also grown as cut flowers.Cut the shoots when a third or half of the flowers in the inflorescence are unfolded.We can also dry them and use them to create spectacular compositions.
Reproduction
Varieties from the Pacific group are propagated by sowing seeds from November to May in a greenhouse (home amateur). We propagate varieties from the Belladonna and Elatum groups by dividing the plants in early spring or autumn and using apical cuttings.
