Magic Fountain Mix Delphinium Seeds

Days to Maturity: 105 to 125

A highly popular series, Magic Fountain Mix contains genetic dwarf varieties, commonly called candle larkspur, offering late spring to late summer interest. The floriferous flower spikes in this multicolored mix bloom for weeks in large semidouble florets of pink, blue, lavender, lilac, and white with dark or light “bees.” They create spectacular displays that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the garden and make excellent cut flowers.

Magic Fountain Mix delphinium varieties are herbaceous short-lived perennials (3 to 5 years) of the buttercup family, renowned for their vigor and heat tolerance. They have a compact, mounded habit of divided dark green foliage and a fast growth rate. Since the flower stalks are shorter than most delphiniums, they do not require staking, but the plants should be sheltered from strong winds. These dwarf delphiniums are perfect for small gardens and are shown to best effect when grouped or massed in mixed beds and borders.

Cold hardy to Zone 3, Magic Fountain Mix varieties grow best in climates with cool, moist summers. They prefer full sun and moist, well-drained, fertile, loamy humus soils that are slightly acidic with a 5.5 to 6.5 pH, but they grow well in alkaline soils and may benefit from some afternoon shade in warmer climates. Feed weekly during growth and flowering with low concentrations of a slow release fertilizer. Do not fertilize after flowering. Once the plant is established, deadhead spent flower spikes to the basal foliage after the blooming period to encourage a second bloom in late summer and/or fall. Dear and rabbit resistant.

Direct sow delphinium seed into warm soil in spring when temperatures range between 59 and 64°F. Cover seed with vermiculite, sand or substrate after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Direct sown delphiniums perform better the second year. Seed can also be started indoors about 8 weeks before the last frost date and transplanted when the soil has warmed to 70°F, after all danger of frost has passed. Seedlings should have 2 or more pairs of true leaves before transplanting. Harden off seedlings by placing the seed trays outside in a sheltered area for about a week.