Delphinium 'Magic Fountains Mix'

Magic Fountains Mix Delphinium (Delphinium elatum)

Magic Fountains Mix offers the widest colour range among Dwarf Pacific delphiniums, making it a standout choice for both garden beds and floral arrangements. Compact, sturdy plants produce full florets with tight internodes, creating elegant, well-formed spikes that tolerate wind and bring structure and charm to borders, cutting gardens, and mixed plantings. Bloom colours include cherry, lilac, lavender, dark blue, sky blue, and white, each accented with contrasting “bees” in either white or dark tones for added visual interest.

A favourite for pollinators, this mix attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, enhancing biodiversity while offering long-lasting summer beauty. Also known as Candle Larkspur, Magic Fountains Mix is often grown as an annual and behaves as a short-lived perennial in Zones 3–7. Its playful array of colours and compact elegance make it perfect for cottage gardens, mixed borders, and vibrant cut-flower designs.

DETAILS:

QTY: 30

TYPE: Short Lived Perennial (zones 3-7)

DEPTH: 1/4"

SITE: Sun/Part Shade

GERMINATION: 10-20 days at 18-21°C

HEIGHT: Varies

MATURITY: 130 - 135 Days

SPACING: 12-18" if being grown as a perennial. 12" apart if being grown as an annual

PINCH: No

HOW TO GROW:
Transplant (recommended): Sow seeds indoors 10–16 weeks before you plan to plant them outdoors. Lightly cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil, as they require darkness to germinate. Keep the soil consistently moist. Transplant seedlings into larger cell packs or 3–4" containers 6–8 weeks after germination. Grow seedlings at 18∘C–21∘C (65∘F–70∘F) in a greenhouse or cold frame. To prevent legginess, maintain temperatures below 16∘C (60∘F) as the plants mature. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before transplanting after the last frost.

Direct Seeding (not recommended): Direct seeding is not recommended for delphiniums, as starting seeds indoors provides a much better success rate and an earlier bloom.

Pinching: Pinching the main stalk of delphinium is not recommended. However, deadheading the main flower spike after it finishes blooming can encourage the growth of side shoots and a secondary, smaller flush of flowers.

Support: Support is strongly advised for delphiniums, as their heavy flower spikes can easily topple over. Use horizontal trellising (such as Hortonova netting) positioned 12–18" above the beds to provide a grid for the plants to grow through.

Soil Preference and Watering: Delphiniums prefer full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Keep the soil consistently moist throughout the growing season. They do not tolerate soggy, waterlogged roots.

Fertilizing: Delphiniums are heavy feeders. Feed them regularly with a balanced, all-purpose liquid fertilizer every 2–4 weeks throughout the growing season to support their robust growth.

Harvesting: For bouquets, harvest stems when the bottom third of the flowers on the spike have opened. Cut in the early morning or late evening and immediately place in a vase of water.