13 JULY 2019AMATEUR GARDENING 13Slug patrol: Slugs and snails are partial to delphiniums so
pick them off in the evening by torchlight or, alternatively,
scatter one or two organic slug pellets around plants.Go big with delphiniums!
Make a big impact with ‘Pacific Giants Mixed’, says Ruth
D
ELPHINIUMS offer some of
the most spectacular sights
of the summer, their tall pastel
spires standing to attention in
the border, and doing further duty as
an excellent cut flower for indoors.
They are also loved for their longevity- remove early flowers after blooming,
and you will get a second flush later in
the summer.
This week’s free seeds are for
‘Pacific Giants Mixed’, statuesque hardy
perennials that flower from pure white
to violet and will return year after year.
Growing to 84in (2.1m), they will be the
stand-out celebrities of the garden and
are relatively easy to grow. Delphiniums
like well-drained, fertile soil (they are
hungry plants) and are a magnet for
slugs when they first start to shoot,
so make sure you protect them.
For next year’s flowers, sow seeds
thinly into trays or modules of fresh
seed compost; I’m using biodegradable
cardboard modules. Cover with a thin
layer of compost, label, cover and set
them somewhere light and warm.
Germination takes three or four
weeks, and the seedlings can be potted
on when they are large enough to
handle. Acclimatise them to life
outside and plant out in the summer.13: Planting for Plantaholics: RHS
Wisley, Wisley Lane, Woking, Surrey
GU23 6QB. 0845 6121 253,
rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley
13-14: Belvoir Flower and Garden
Festival: Belvoir Castle, Grantham,
Nottingham NG32 1PE. 01476
871001; belvoircastle.com
13-14: Cactus Show: RHS Garden
Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane,
Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex CM
8ET. 0845 265 8071, rhs.org.uk/
gardens/hydehall
13-14: National Sweet Pea Show:
RHS Harlow Carr, Crag Lane,
Harrogate, North Yorks HG3 1QB.
0203 176 5830, rhs.org.uk/
gardens/harlow-carr
15: Garden Walk – Fabulous
Ferns: RHS Harlow Carr
15: Free Gardening Advice for
RHS Members: RHS Harlow Carr
16: How To Grow Sweet Peas
and Roses: RHS Harlow Carr
16: Get The Look – Garden Design
Styles: RHS Garden Hyde Hall
17: Bat Walk: RHS Wisley
17: Behind The Scenes at RHS
Hyde Hall: RHS Garden Hyde Hall
18: Afternoon and Evening Garden
Photography: RHS Garden Hyde Hall
18: Beauty and Wellbeing Day:
RHS Harlow Carr
19: Free Gardening Advice for
RHS members: RHS Harlow Carr
20: Mow a Meadow – Introduction
to Scything: RHS Harlow Carr
20-21: Carnivorous Plant Show:
RHS Garden Wisley
21: Rare Plant Fair: Highnam Court,
Highnam, Gloucester, Glos GL2 8DP.
01278 661352, rareplantfair.co.uk■ Send details and images of
events to [email protected]
■All details are subject to change without our knowledge,
so please check that the event is still going ahead before
leaving home.Things to
do near you
Growing sweet peas
and roses at RHS
Harlow Carr (July 16)What’s
onKeep off waterlogged lawns to avoid churning
them up, then aerate with a garden fork to
improve drainageSowing ‘Pacifi c Giants Mixed’
2
Sow the seeds thinly, one-two
per module if possible. When they
germinate, only keep the strongest.3
Water with fresh tap water using
a watering can fitted with a very
fine hose to avoid blasting the seeds.4
Cover with compost, add a lid and
place somewhere light and warm.
Remove the lid after germination.1
Fill a seed tray, large pot or
modules with fresh seed and
cuttings compost.Step
by step
Although delphiniums
have sturdy stalks, they are
hollow and can bend or
break in high winds. Make
sure you stake your
plants in exposed
gardens.