Delphinium x belladonna Blue Shadow® | Candle larkspur

Delphinium x belladonna Blue Shadow® | Candle larkspur

Delphinium Belladonna Blue Shadow® is a stunning variety of larkspur with deep blue flowers and elegant pointed spurs, making it a popular choice for professional producers and home gardeners alike. Known for its heat resistance, fast growth, and high productivity, Blue Shadow offers beautiful, single flowers on firm, branching stems. This high-yielding variety is perfect for adding a romantic, trendy touch to field bouquets, garden beds, or floral arrangements.

Key Features:

• Flower Color: Deep blue with distinctive pointed spurs
• Plant Height: 80–120 cm
• Life Cycle: Hardy perennial (can also be grown as an annual)
• Family: Ranunculaceae
• Hardiness Zone: 5–9 (Ideal for temperate climates)
• Hybrid Status: Open-pollinated
• Growth Habit: Firm, branching stems with loosely packed flower spikes
• Flowering Season: Blooms in summer (approximately 14–16 weeks from sowing)
• Germination Time: 3 weeks at 24°C during the day and 18°C at night
• Sowing Method: Surface sow onto moist, well-drained seed compost, cover lightly with vermiculite
• Seed Production: Tray size 264, 1 seed per plug

Growing Instructions:

• Ideal Growing Conditions: Prefers fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 and an EC of 0.9.
• Light Requirements: Full sun, with shelter from strong winds
• Planting Instructions: After germination, transplant seedlings into cell trays. Acclimatize and plant out after frost danger has passed.
• Support: Use support wire when planting to prevent damage to the roots, and stake the plants well during growth.
• Spacing:
  • Annual Production (Greenhouse): 12-16 plants per m²
  • Annual Production (Field): 16-18 plants per m²
  • Perennial Production: 9 plants per m²

Watering & Irrigation:

• Watering: Overhead irrigation is suitable during the first 4-6 weeks; then switch to drip irrigation. Keep soil moist but avoid waterlogging.
• Irrigation Tip: Water the plants early in the day to avoid excessive moisture in the flowers. Ensure proper drainage to reduce the risk of root rot and fungal diseases.

Fertilization:

• Use a balanced fertilizer, ensuring the nitrogen (N) levels do not exceed twice the potassium (K) levels to prevent excessive leaf growth.

Pest & Disease Control:

• Common Diseases: Bacterial black spot (Pseudomonas delphinii), leaf spot (Phyllosticta ajacis), mildew (Erysiphe polygonii), and crown rot (Sclerotium delphinii).
• Prevention: Good air circulation, proper irrigation methods, and regular deadheading will help minimize disease risk.

Harvesting Instructions:

• Harvest when 25-30% of the flowers are open to get the best vase life.
• Use STS pre-treatment to enhance flower longevity.
• Cut stems 10–15 cm above the ground to avoid root rot and water retention in hollow stems, which can lead to decay during subsequent irrigation.

Why Choose Delphinium Belladonna Blue Shadow®?

• Elegant Blue Flowers: Deep blue flowers with a unique, eye-catching shade.
• Heat-Resistant and Quick-Growing: Perfect for warmer climates and short growing seasons.
• High Yielding: Produces abundant flowers, perfect for cutting and floral arrangements.
• Uniform Growth: Consistent growth, ensuring uniform flower spikes and stems for a professional look.
• Romantic and Trendy: Ideal for adding a charming, vintage touch to bouquets and garden designs.

Cultivation Tips:

• Deadheading: Regularly remove spent flowers to encourage new blooms.
• Overwintering: Cut plants back to the ground level once flowers wither in autumn.
• Propagation: Take pencil-thin basal cuttings in early spring for propagation.

Add Delphinium cultorum Belladonna Blue Shadow® to your garden for an elegant splash of color and a reliable, long-lasting flower suitable for both professional florists and home gardeners. These stunning, heat-resistant flowers are perfect for fresh or dried arrangements and will thrive in any garden or greenhouse!