Delphinium 'Innocence'

RHS Plant Profile
delphinium 'Innocence'
Herbaceous Perennial

A deciduous, herbaceous perennial that reaches approximately 1.8m in height when in flower. It forms a mound of green, deeply lobed leaves and stately flower stems full of fluffy double petals of pure white flowers, in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or East–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
Columnar upright
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
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Shelter from strong winds and provide support (see staking perennials). Divide every 2-5 years to maintain vigour. See staking perennials and delphinium cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division or by basal softwood cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

Deadhead spent flower spikes back to fresh flowering side shoots and cut back to ground level in late autumn.

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