If you know that delphiniums won't do well for you, what's the point of planting them?? Even if they are growing, they probably won't be very happy there, and you most likely won't get the results you wanted. I wanted to grow lupines, but lupines unfortunately also will not tolerate the heat. If you really like the look of delphiniums, try growing one of the aconitum species instead. They look very similar, but are more tolerant of the heat.

Larkspur will give a similar effect and they should grow for you. Here in NC, they are typically fall sown, they come up and stay green most, if not all of the winter, and then shoot up the flower stalks in the early spring.

Hi, Bigred. I am another one who keeps hoping against hope with some plants. Delphiniums are so wonderful, but they don't do well here in northern Virginia, either. It breaks my heart. The D. elatum and D. grandiflora are supposed to be more heat tolerant from what I have read. Since hope springs eternal...I may give one of them a try. Morning sun and some afternoon shade might help, but that may result in fewer flowers. Also, fan is right about acontium. That is definitely worth a try. Good luck!

Yup. I love 'em too, but unfortunately they never again look as good as the day you buy them. Instead of beating your head against the wall, try some plants that have a similar FORM. I have grown all of the following successfully here in central Mississippi.
penstemon tenuis (Gulf Coast penstemon. Bloooms spring and fall, and is perennial. Reseeds too. Totally carefree.)
Mystic Spires Salvia (blooms continually from spring all the way to winter)
Galtonia (a bulb and is lovely if you can provide it dry winter conditions)
LARKSPUR (it's in the family. Reseeds when happy. Expires when summer heat moves in.)
Snapdragons: same as larkspur, but more colors.

Sadly, aconitum don't do well in the deep south, only in the upper and mid south.

Umm, hope this doesn't disappoint but I live in the Pacific NorthWET where delphs do very well but the chocolate delphiniums,which I was also excited about, are going to get shovel pruned because they look like some horribly diseased plant. The seeds you bought may be for a better cultivar.

I selected the first 3 species because they are fro* hot rocky areas. D.nudicaule and d.cardinalis are fro* hot rocky slopes in the foothills of Calf. D.zalil are fro* si*ular growing conditions of Iran and adjoining countries. D.cardinalis needy hot weather to bloo* and thrive

*Sorry,have a letter on the keyboard thats not working.*

I also read that the d.elatu*s are *ore suited for *y cli*ate.

harleylady,
I hope the chocolate variety I purchased isnt a disappointent.

I also grow all the other plants that were suggested but I love bringing cuts into the house and larkspurs just dont have the presents as the delphs.

At any rate,whats the har* in trying?

Peggy

I've tried the species delphinium you mentioned - they couldn't take the combination of heat and humidity here in NC. I did have some luck with Delphinium belladonna
ÂCliveden Beauty in part shade but it wasn't very happy and died during our drought last year.

Yes,seems humidity is our downfall with a lot of plants.
One side of my yard seems to be much cooler than the other were hostas,ferns,toadlilies and other thrive very well. Maybe I can plant the delphs there and treat them as an annual and hopefully they will last long enough to make seeds for the next year.

P

A friend of mine in Arkansas is an excellent gardener. She thought she could get them to perennialize. She couldn't. I've gone a round or two with different varieties myself. But once summer sets in they are history. The answer to your question is "NO". Sorry.