The perennial delphinium (lat. delphinium), which is often found in German gardens, is so popular not only because of its adorable flowers, which usually bloom in various shades of blue or purple, but also because of its winter hardiness. In contrast to many other garden plants that are not originally native to this country, you can safely leave delphiniums planted in the bed outdoors.
Is delphinium hardy and how do I prepare it for winter?
The delphinium (Delphinium) is hardy and can overwinter outdoors. To prepare the plant for winter, cut it back after the fall blooms and mulch the root area with compost. For potted plants, the pot should be protected.
Preparing delphiniums for winter
However, the hardy delphinium also needs some preparation for the winter so that it sprouts even more beautifully the following spring. This definitely includes cutting the plant back to just above the ground after the autumn flowering. However, if you leave the withered parts of the plant on the plant over the winter, pathogens can nest in them - as we know, delphinium is particularly sensitive to mildew, gray mold and various bacteria.
Autumn Compost Giving
After cutting, you can - if desired - divide the perennial. It is then recommended to mulch the root area with mature compost soil. This supplies the delphinium with nutrients over the winter and creates a good basis for sprouting in spring. In contrast to mineral or artificial fertilizers, compost is not available quickly, but only releases its ingredients gradually. Work the compost thoroughly into the soil.
Protect delphiniums in pots from frost
In contrast to the actually absolutely winter-hardy delphinium perennials in the garden, delphiniums in the pot should definitely be protected, after all there is a risk that the substrate - and thus the roots - will freeze and the plant will die.
- Wrap the bucket with fleece (€6.00 on Amazon), a raffia mat or a jute sack.
- Cover the surface of the substrate with straw or leaves.
- The brushwood of deciduous trees (e.g. spruces or firs) is also very suitable for protection.
Dark spurs in pots should be watered on frost-free days in winter, but should under no circumstances be fertilized. You can start fertilizing again from the beginning of March and stop fertilizing around mid-August / beginning of September.
Tips & Tricks
Although planted garden delphiniums can be easily supplied with organic fertilizer, delphiniums in the pot need significantly more nutrients and should therefore be fertilized with liquid fertilizer.
