delphinium problems.

>  For instance, I cannot grow delphiniums well in
> my zone 5/6 garden, yet a co-worker who lives less than 10 miles away, but
> in a higher altitude, has no problem whatsoever.   In the cooler climates
> of England, the delphs are longer lived than here in the States as a
> general rule (there are exceptions of course).  If you read a reference
> book published overseas, then the delphs are classified as regular
> perennials.  Here, I believe they are mostly classified as "short-lived"
> perennials.

I can't let an opportunity like this go begging

We live just south of Auckland, New Zealand at 37 12 south  174 52 
east and have no extremes (apart from the odd stray cyclone) of 
weather. Our summer temperatures rarely exceed 28 deg C (but 40deg C 
has been known) and a winters day that does not reach 12 deg C is a 
rarity. Frosts are few and very light. Rainfall about 75 to 
120 millimetres per month in summer, 120 -150 mm per month in winter.
 
All in all this is not commonly regarded as good delphinium growing 
country. However,with a few practices such as raising beds (to avoid 
wet feet) and mulching thickly with sawdust (to cool the 
roots, keep moisture levels consistent and deter the slugs) we are 
able to keep plants for many years and grow them well enough to 
support a business selling and breeding them. Our aim is to produce 
hybrid delphiniums that, through selection are more suited to milder 
climates.

For those gardeners who would like to grow delphiniums but 
are thwarted by hot summers I suspect that the measures 
mentioned above will go a long way to helping resolve the 
problem. 

There is heaps more growing information on our web site 
<http://www.delphinium.co.nz>

Growing plants out of their normal zone is a challenge that does not 
have to be taken (there are heaps of other things to do) but a little 
thought and preparation can often turn 'short lived plants" into 
"long lived" ones

Happy Holidays

Terry Dowdeswell
18 Henderson Ave
Tuakau, New Zealand
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Terry@delphinium.co.nz
http://www.delphinium.co.nz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index