Seedlings start flowering same year after sowing, in their fourth month. The growth of delphiniums halts, when seeds ripen, so inflorescences are best removed after the flowering is over. Delphiniums may flower repeatedly in autumn, if the spent blooms have been removed. Bear in mind that this wears the plant down, as it does not have time to set new buds, which may result in less than spectacular flowering next year.
Delphiniums are among the most spectacular tall perennials. They are low-maintenance plants, and their flowers are well worth your efforts. Their Latin name Delphinium derives from the shape of their flowers, resembling those of grey dolphins, which live near the coast of Greece.
The name of catalpa tree derives from the Indian language, meaning “elephant`s ears”. These are attractive, mostly deciduous (sometime evergreen) trees with broadly rounded crown. The leaves are heart-shaped and large with long petioles. The showy bell-shaped flowers up to 7 cm long, held in large terminal sprays, are white or cream, with lower lips splashed with purple blotches and spots.
