Dark spurs are a group of plants from the buttercup family that have been found in home gardens for many centuries because of their pretty flowers in very different shades of blue or purple. There are around 5,000 different varieties known worldwide, the growth heights of which vary greatly from one another.
How tall will delphiniums grow in the garden?
The height of the delphinium varies between 30 and 200 cm depending on the variety. Dwarf varieties such as the “Blue Dwarf” reach around 30 cm, while the wild forms can reach 70 to 100 cm and cultivated varieties can reach a height of up to 150 cm. The tallest variety, Delphinium elatum, can even reach over 2 meters.
Dark spur usually between 120 and 150 centimeters high
The wild relatives of the cultivated delphinium - the field and field delphiniums - were still very common until a few decades ago, but were greatly reduced by intensive agricultural use (and the associated use of pesticides).. These original forms of the garden delphinium only grow to around 70 to 100 centimeters high, whereas most cultivated forms reach an impressive 120 to 150 centimeters and are often almost as wide.
Dwarf varieties of delphinium
An exception is the popular, strong blue flowering delphinium “Blue Dwarf” of the species Delphinium grandiflorum. This only grows to around 30 centimeters high, but forms very dense clumps and also impresses with its particularly large flowers. This species is perfect for rock and terrace gardens and should preferably be planted in groups. Unfortunately, in contrast to the tall delphiniums that are usually perennial, this perennial is quite short-lived, but it reliably self-cultivates.
Delphinium elatum, the highest variety
Dark spurs of the species Delphinium elatum (German: “High delphinium”) reach a height of up to two meters and more. The associated varieties are perennial and can often live up to five years. In its wild forms, the high delphinium can be found primarily in the Alps and other low and high mountain ranges at altitudes of up to 2000 meters. However, its cultivated forms also thrive - appropriate conditions such as lime and silicate soil - in lowlands.
Charming Elatum varieties
| Name | Flower color | Flowering time | Growth height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eye candy | light blue | June to July | 140 – 160 cm |
| Ariel | light blue, white eye | June to July | 130 cm |
| Mountain sky | sky blue, white eye | June to July | 170 cm |
| Twilight | dark blue, dark eye | June to July | 160 cm |
| Dreaming Spiers F 2 | blue, white or red | June to July | 150cm |
| Finsteraarhorn | gentian blue, black eye | June to July | 170 cm |
| early ticket | light purple, black eye | June to July | 170 cm |
| Glacier Water | light blue, white eye | June to July | 170 cm |
| Cheers | medium blue, white eye (semi-double) | June to July | 180 cm |
| Mother of pearl tree | light blue with soft pink, brown eye | June to July | 180 cm |
Tips & Tricks
Although all delphiniums are considered poisonous, the Elatum varieties in particular contain very large proportions of toxic alkaloids and are therefore highly poisonous.