5. Royal Aspirations Delphinium
Bred in New Zealand, the New Millennium series of delphinium offer marvelous rich shades of color, fast flowering times, and multiple flower points during a season. This delphinium variety produces tall plants with spiraling flowers in colors ranging from navy blue to deep sapphire, with a white bee.
The leaves of the Royal Aspirations form bushy bundles with hardy characteristics. This variety produces heavy flowers, so it’s best to stake the stems before flowering begins. This species reaches up to 3-feet in height with deeply-cut leaves. Gardeners must remember to remove dead flowers from the stem to encourage repeat flowering in the early fall.
The Royal Aspiration is a biennial or perennial variety, with most plants lasting between 2 to 3-years. During the midsummer months, keep your eye on the leaves for signs of powdery mildew. Cut back the foliage and spray with a fungicide to prevent mildew outbreaks. Like most delphinium, the Royal Aspirations enjoys morning sun and afternoon shade.