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Delphinium

Delphinium Rosemary Brock

• Position: full sun
• Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: June and July
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  This unusual delphinium produces spires of large, flat, magenta-pink discs with brown eyes in June and July. This variety has been given the Award of Garden Merit by the RHS because of its tip top performance, so it is a good one to include in a mixed or herbaceous border if you want to create vertical interest. For best effect plant in odd-numbered clumps or drifts. To encourage a second flush of flowers in late summer you should cut the flowered stems back as soon as they have finished.
  
  
• Garden care: For best results, choose an open spot away from taller plants. Stake with bamboo canes as they start to shoot upwards in mid-spring and  protect young foliage against slug and snail damage. During the growing season, apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks and wearing gloves cut back the faded flower-stems to a flowering side-shoot to encourage repeat flowering. At the end of autumn cut back and compost the faded flower stems.