Delphinium grandiflorum 'Summer Nights' (Summer Series)

RHS Plant Profile
delphinium 'Summer Nights'

Synonyms

Delphinium 'Summer Nights' (Summer Series)

Herbaceous Perennial

A low-growing, short-lived perennial growing to 30cm tall and wide. In summer, loose sprays of single, spurred, bright blue flowers are held above the low, bushy mounds of foliage

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Delphinium can be annuals, biennials or perennials, with palmately lobed basal leaves and showy bowl-shaped flowers in spikes, racemes or panicles
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. See staking perennials and delphinium cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by taking pencil-thick basal cuttings in early spring or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers
  • Garden edging

Pruning

Deadhead spent flower spikes. After flowering, cut down all growth to ground level

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, earwigs, delphinium leaf miner, delphinium moth caterpillars, slugs, snails and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, delphinium black blotch, crown rot and viruses