I read somewhere that delphiniums only last two years. Mine are on the third year. Which is correct? Also, I purchased several at end of season from a local nursery and was going to put them in my garden until I saw this picture of them growing in a pot. Has anyone tried this? I live in a climate that has been known to reach -51F(no, it's not the North Pole) so, if I tried this, could I bring them in after first frost and store them in a shed or basement until late spring while they remain in the pots?

What USDA zone do you live in? I believe they are hardy to zone 3 or 5. They just don't like hot summers. If you have somewhat cool summers, you might be able to keep them a lot longer.

Some of the newer variety have a longer shelf life
The longest lived one in my Z:5 garden is eight years. gracefulgardens.com is my go to source.

Hazelcrestmikeb said: Some of the newer variety have a longer shelf life
The longest lived one in my Z:5 garden is eight years. gracefulgardens.com is my go to source.

Mike ~ Oh, that's beautiful!

Thanks Evelyn. Here is a great source for everything delphiniums.
https://delphinium.co.nz/index...

Here in PNW zone 8b, I have ours in a 12" square pot and once they bloom in the spring and I harvest the seeds I remove the stalks and trim back some of the leaves and this year I got the plant to bloom again in the fall. When it's done and the seeds are harvested again, we will move it close to the foundation of the house for the winter months.

Mike ~ Thank you very much! I have read about the Dowdeswells Delphiniums before. 👍They are the best growers on the planet. 💕

Hazelcrestmikeb said: Thanks Evelyn. Here is a great source for everything delphiniums.
https://delphinium.co.nz/index...

Mike ~ I just ordered some seeds!!! I'll let you know when they arrive. I'd like to start them right away!

Thanks again for the link. Many seed houses overseas are not shipping to the US anymore. Still, they will probably be annuals for me in my hot summer climate.

@evelyninthegarden where did you ordered the seeds from ?

Hazelcrestmikeb said: Thanks Evelyn. Here is a great source for everything delphiniums.
https://delphinium.co.nz/index...

Mike ~ I ordered the seeds from this website.

Great. Looking forward to your blooms next season.

We'll see....if I do everything right and the weather doesn't get too wonky. The one thing that could ruin it is a hot spell in spring. Delphiniums can take the cold, but heat is the problem for me.

These are SOOO pretty. Even you know it's going to be dead in 3 weeks, it's hard to not buy them when they are @ the store, blooming. The ones that are half purple, half blue can cause my wallet to jump right out of my pocket. Not bad when compared to the cost of a cut bouquet, and lasts 2-3x as long. Juicy rationalizations'r'us.

Tiffany

We don't usually have them available locally, though I am sure someone has them available online. I would feel better if I could grow them from seed. More trouble, less money. Though certainly not guaranteed.

First, I have to receive them...not yet. Then start them in the basement and hopefully get them to planting out stage. I will harden them off and plant them out in winter. I am really looking forward to these.... The bed is prepared.

I hope you get tons of gorgeous blooms, Evelyn! Absolutely worth trying.

Tiffany ~ Thank you so much! Believe me, IF I am successful with this adventure with delphiniums, I will take a lot of pictures. I am not really a photographer, but there will be pictures.

I DO have seedlings up!

Delphinium 'Sunny Skies' (NZ)
Delphinium 'Blue Buccaneers':(NZ)
Delphinium 'Connecticut Yankees' (US)

The others did "damp off"!

I knew I took a chance with these. Even if I only get a few, that will be really good. They are staying under LED lights in my cool basement. (50°) The temperature rarely varies. It will make it easier to harden them off, when the time comes.

Have never grown delphs in pots, only right in the ground. I live in zone 2b and temps usually get to 35-40 below, a couple of years to -50 and they come back year after year. Have had the same plants growing "forever". They do really well in years when there is plenty of rain - grow to about 6-7 feet but they need to be supported because the wind here is incredible during storms and it bends and breaks the plants if not supported. You will have lots of hummingbirds enjoying them. I should mention that if allowed to msture the delphs self-seed so in the event some would perish for whatever reason you will have lots of babies to replant or just plant more around in different spots. One can never have enough delphiniums IMO..

Oh, if I lived in Canada or any other place where the weather was cold I would have LOTS of delphiniums!

Even if it was a place where the summers are cool, like Oregon or Washington.

If mine survive planting out, they may not survive the hot summer.🤞

I probably should stick with drought-heat tolerant and native plants. (I really don't like most cactus, though)