Wie schneidet man Rittersporn richtig?

Der Rückschnitt ist entscheidend für eine zweite Blüte. Nachdem die erste Blütezeit vorbei ist, solltest Du die verblühten Stängel knapp über dem Boden abschneiden. Achte darauf, dass Du kräftige, gesunde Blätter stehen lässt, damit die Pflanze weiterhin Nährstoffe aufnehmen kann. Im Herbst erfolgt dann der vollständige Rückschnitt bis auf wenige Zentimeter über dem Boden.

Larkspur care & planting

Ein einzelner violett-blauer Ritterspornzweig mit zarten Blüten vor hellem, kreisförmigem Hintergrund.

Create colourful accents with delphiniums in beds or containers

The delphinium, also known by its botanical name Delphinium, is an impressive plant that adds a touch of elegance to any garden or balcony. With its magnificent panicles of flowers in a variety of colours, it provides lively accents and is a real feast for the eyes both in beds and containers. But what makes the delphinium so special and how can you best cultivate it in your garden or on your balcony? Find out in this article!

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Profile of the delphinium

Botanical name: Delphinium
Plant appearance: The delphinium is a striking perennial plant with slender, tall inflorescences consisting of numerous small to medium-sized flowers.
Growth & height: The tall delphinium reaches an impressive height of up to two metres, although there are also varieties that remain smaller.
Flower colour: The delphinium's flowers shine in many colours, including blue, white, purple, pink and light blue. The blue delphinium is particularly popular, as this natural colouring is very rare in nature.
Flowering time: From June to August, the delphinium will delight you with its magnificent flowers.
Planting time: You should plant the delphinium in spring or autumn when the ground is frost-free.
Location: Delphiniums prefer a sunny location, but also tolerate semi-shady spots.
Soil moisture: The soil should be well-drained and slightly moist, without waterlogging. Sandy-loamy soil that is very rich in nutrients would be ideal.
Toxicity: Yes, the delphinium is poisonous. All parts of the plant contain alkaloids that can be poisonous if eaten.
Hardiness: The delphinium is hardy and survives cold winters without any problems.

Larkspur care & planting

The delphinium is robust, but good care is crucial to promote lush flowering. The right location is the be-all and end-all. Perennial delphiniums prefer sunny to semi-shady locations and a nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Waterlogging should be avoided at all costs, otherwise the roots can rot. Regular fertilisation supports growth and promotes flowering. A high-quality complete fertiliser is ideal here.

To keep the delphinium healthy and vigorous, it is important to cut off wilted inflorescences regularly. This allows the plant to use its energy for new flowers and often blooms a second time in late summer.

How do you prune delphiniums correctly?

Pruning is crucial for a second flowering. After the first flowering period is over, you should cut off the faded stems just above the ground. Make sure that you leave strong, healthy leaves so that the plant can continue to absorb nutrients. In autumn, the plant is then cut back completely to just a few centimetres above the ground.

The right location - planting delphiniums

The ideal location for delphiniums is sunny to semi-shady. These perennials thrive particularly well in flower beds, but can also be cultivated in containers. Make sure that the soil is well-drained to prevent waterlogging. If you want to plant the delphinium in a container, we recommend a generous pot so that the plant has enough space.

Delphinium colours

Ein Strauß kräftig blauer und hellblauer Rittersporne mit weißen Blütenmitten vor neutral grauem Hintergrund.

Blue delphinium - the classic among perennials

The blue delphinium is probably the best-known and most popular member of the Delphinium genus. With its bright blue flowers, which vary in different shades from light blue to deep blue, it is a real eye-catcher in the garden. This classic garden perennial adds a majestic touch to flower beds and harmonises wonderfully with other colourful plants such as roses or white perennials. The tall blue delphinium looks particularly good in herbaceous borders or as a background plant, as it brings structure and height to the border with its metre-high panicles of flowers. Its intense colours and elegant appearance make it an indispensable element in classic garden arrangements.

Ein hoher Stängel hellblauer Ritterspornblüten im Fokus, eingerahmt von grünem Laub und weichem Licht.

Light blue delphinium - Delicate elegance in sky blue

The light blue delphinium enchants with its delicate flowers in soft sky blue tones and gives your garden a special lightness. This variety of delphinium brings fresh, soft colours to the shrub bed and harmonises wonderfully with white, pink or purple plants. The light blue delphinium looks particularly elegant and is a real eye-catcher that creates an airy, friendly atmosphere even in smaller gardens.

Hohe, dicht blühende weiße Rittersporne vor sattem grünen Hintergrund in einem sommerlichen Garten.

White delphinium - elegance in pure white

The white delphinium (Delphinium) is an elegant variety of this popular perennial plant and its pure, white flowers create elegant accents in any garden. The white delphinium is particularly effective in combination with other coloured varieties or in monochrome borders. Its flower panicles radiate a special lightness and look extremely decorative both in the perennial bed and in containers. Depending on the variety, the white delphinium can reach heights of up to two metres and, like its blue or pink relatives, requires a sunny to semi-shady location and nutrient-rich soil. Its bright white flowers symbolise purity and perfection and are a perfect choice for creating bright and friendly garden areas.

Ein weites Feld voller rosa blühender Rittersporne unter leicht bewölktem Himmel – dichter Blütenteppich mit vereinzelten Knospen.

Pink delphinium - Delicate charm in pastel shades

The pink delphinium is a particularly delicate and romantic version of this impressive perennial plant. With its elegant flower panicles in soft shades of pink, it adds a delicate, playful touch to any herbaceous border and blends harmoniously into flower arrangements. The pink delphinium is particularly effective in combination with white or purple perennials, where it provides a soft variety of colours.

Delphinium species

There are many different types of delphinium, which vary in growth height, flower colour and care requirements. Here are some popular varieties:

Delphinium belladonna: A lower variety that grows up to 1.2 metres tall and is characterised by its bright blue flowers.
Delphinium x elatum: This tall delphinium can grow up to two metres tall and has dense panicles of flowers in blue, white and pink.
Delphinium pacific: This variety also reaches an impressive height and flowers in intense shades of blue and purple.

Fein verzweigte Pflanzen mit kleinen violett-blauen Blüten des wilden Rittersporns auf natürlichem, leicht bewachsenen Boden.

Wild delphinium - a natural beauty

The wild delphinium (Consolida regalis), also known as field delphinium, differs from the cultivated varieties in its delicate, rather filigree appearance. It grows mainly in fields, meadows and embankments and is a beautiful but increasingly rare sight in the wild. The wild delphinium is an annual and prefers nutrient-poor, calcareous soils. Its flowers are usually bright blue and lend the landscape a natural charm. As the wild delphinium self-seeds well, you can also plant it in the garden in natural areas to create a wild, informal atmosphere.

Leuchtend blaue einjährige Rittersporne in einer Wiese mit zartem Grün und roten Mohnakzenten im Hintergrund.

Annual delphiniums - fast-flowering splashes of colour

Annual delphiniums, such as the summer delphinium (Consolida ajacis), are the perfect choice if you want to fill your garden with bright colours quickly. Delphiniums produce beautiful, lush flowers until late summer. They are particularly easy to care for and are ideal for cottage gardens, flower meadows or as temporary gap fillers in borders. Annual delphiniums come in various colours such as blue, pink and white and thrive both in beds and containers. Their delicate flower panicles add a romantic touch to the garden, and thanks to their uncomplicated care, they are also a good choice for novice gardeners. After flowering, the plants often self-seed, so you can expect new flowers the following year - a natural and charming cycle!

Delphinium pests and diseases

Unfortunately, the delphinium is susceptible to snails, which particularly like to eat young shoots. Powdery mildew can also attack the perennial delphinium, especially in excessively damp weather or poor air circulation. Regular watering in the morning and avoiding water on the leaves can prevent this. Regular fertilisation can also strengthen the plant and make it more resistant. How much and how often you need to fertilise depends on the variety and the fertiliser. It is usually said that you should fertilise every three weeks, as delphiniums love nutrients.

Delphiniums are wonderful garden perennials that, with the right care, will give years of pleasure. Whether blue, white, pink or light blue delphiniums - each plant adds a colourful accent to your bouquet or flower bed.

What is the cause of light-coloured leaves on delphiniums?

Light-coloured leaves on delphiniums usually indicate a lack of nutrients (especially nitrogen or iron), waterlogging, sunburn or too high a pH value in the soil. Pest infestation or fungal diseases can also be the cause. The plant prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil and regular, but not excessive, watering. A soil analysis and targeted fertilisation can provide a quick remedy.