Delphiniums are the sort of flowers that never cease to dazzle. Their towering spires of vibrant, jewel-toned blooms bring height, colour and a generous dose of cottage-garden romance to summer borders.
It's little surprising they're a favourite among gardeners – even the King is said to have a soft spot for these show-stoppers.
Unfortunately for admirers of this dramatic perennial, its flowering season can feel all too brief. Typically, delphiniums burst into flower in June and July, putting on a glorious display for only five to six weeks.
The good news? When they fade, a timely pass of the secateurs can help coax the the flowers back later in the season, extending the show well into autumn.
"You can encourage delphiniums to produce a second flush of blooms in September if you follow just a few simple steps when their first blooms fade," says Lucie Bradley from Easy Garden Irrigation.
Keep a close eye on plants as they near the end of their first flowering period. As soon as the petals start to wilt, it's time to reach for the garden snips.
"You will find that the older flowers at the base of the delphinium spike will fade first, but rather than waiting until the top blooms have faded, too, you are best off to deadhead once two thirds of the flowers have faded," the expert advises.
Use a clean, sharp pair of secateurs to make a neat cut and reduce the risk of disease.
"Snip through through flower stem close to the base, around 15cm off the ground, whilst leaving as much foliage intact as possible," says Lucie.
"This will encourage the plant to direct its energy into producing new shoots from which you should get a second flush of blooms later in the year."
Once you've deadheaded, you can give your delphiniums an additional boost by feeding them some general-purpose fertiliser. Work it gently into the soil and water thoroughly afterwards.
Combined with regular watering during dry spells, this can significantly improve your chances of enjoying a fresh wave of flowers as summer gives way to autumn.
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Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
