Summer Nights Dwarf Delphinium

A perennial for cool climates with deep blue flowers, Summer Nights Dwarf Delphinium (Delphinium grandiflorum) will bloom all summer. The flowers rise on stalks above the lacy foliage, but this dwarf variety is shorter than most delphinium varieties, reaching about 10 to 12 inches high. This makes it a versatile landscape choice with a unique bloom color as a perennial in zones 3 through 7. It also will become a favorite cut flower for indoor arrangements. Place Summer Nights in the front of a container to fill the lower portion with dark blue all summer, a nice contrast to taller plants in contrasting colors like orange or white. Or line a garden bed with these stunning perennials for all-season color in cooler climates and partly shady areas. It’s also an excellent front border plant along sidewalks or patios. Or fill a hill or bed with a large group of the delphiniums for a spilling water-like effect from its mass of blue flowers. Summer Nights Dwarf Delphinium Care Choose a spot in the landscape or for your container that gets full sun or part sun, for a minimum of 4 to 6 hours a day. Morning sun is better than harsh afternoon sun exposure. Plant in spring in average to fertile soil that drains well, adding organic matter like compost to enrich poor soil. In warmer zones, it is best to plant on a cool or cloudy spring day to help prevent transplant shock. After planting, add a thick layer of organic compost around the plant to help retain water and reduce weeds. Delphiniums need average water, with a little extra moisture in peak heat or if grown in a container. The plants can benefit from some fertilizing, starting with a half-strength solution of balanced fertilizer about 3 to 4 weeks after planting. After that, fertilize regularly with lower strength fertilizer. Cut flower stalks back after blossoms fade and prune the plant to the ground when it begins to wilt in the fall. Summer Nights Dwarf Delphinium Spacing Summer Nights Dwarf Delphinium needs room for air to circulate and is best not crowded. In borders, edges and mass plantings, space the plants about 12 inches from center to center.Summer Nights Dwarf Delphinium Information USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7Plant Type: PerennialSunlight Exposure: Partial Sun to Full SunMature Height: 10 – 12 InchesMature Width: 12 InchesPlant Spacing: 12 InchesGrowth Habit: UprightFlower Color(s): BlueFlower Shade: Midnight BlueSeasonal Interest: Early Summer Mid Summer Late SummerFoliage Type: HerbaceousFoliage Color(s): GreenAttracts: Butterflies, HummingbirdsResists: Deer, RabbitsFeatures: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Low MaintenanceUses: Border Plant Container Cut Flower Edging Plant Mass PlantingPlant Brand: Proven WinnersBotanical/Scientific Name: Delphinium grandiflorum ‘Summer Nights’