Delphinium

Cheerful Delphinium

Bringing a touch of color, drama and texture, delphinium are bright towers of blooms that elevate any bouquet. This delicate but striking flower comes in a range of colors that can help celebrate a variety of occasions from birthdays to anniversaries, or, just because. With a range of symbols and meanings, delphinium can help communicate the perfect expression of joy and goodwill for the loved ones in your life.

The Meaning of Delphinium

When the Greeks saw the delphinium, what caught their eyes were the flower hooks that they believed looked like a dolphin's nose. The name delphinium comes from the Greek word "delphis" which means dolphin. According to Greek mythology, the delphinium blossomed from the blood of the Greek warrior Ajax after he was slain in the Trojan War.

The Symbolism of the Delphinium Flower

The Greeks had their own view of delphinium, but what does delphinium symbolize today? Despite its tragic origins in Greek myth, today delphinium is a flower associated with positivity and openness to what life brings next. The delphinium flower symbolizes joy, happiness, and goodwill. It celebrates the hope of new possibilities, embracing new experiences, and striving for new goals. Specific colors of delphinium have their own symbolic meanings, with blue for dignity, white and light blue for youth and renewal, and pink and red for devotion and passion. These various symbols make delphinium an ideal flower to send a message to loved ones to express thoughts of positivity and well-being.

Delphinium Bouquets: Versatility and Drama

With their long colorful spike, delphinium flowers make a striking addition to bouquets for many occasions. An excellent filler flower, delphinium can be used sparingly for added texture, color, and effect. Flower arrangements can also leverage the height of the delphinium for dramatic statement pieces and centerpieces. With a range of beautiful bouquets, you can have delphinium flowers delivered for any occasion.

The Luna

As the birth flower for the month of July, bouquets with delphinium flowers make an excellent gift for your loved one or friend celebrating their summer birthday. Consider the bestselling bouquet The Luna which seamlessly combines a bohemian spirit and undeniable beauty, with its hints of blue delphinium paired with shades of ivory and lavender. The softness and sweetness of this bouquet will bring tranquility to a space.

The Unbridled Passion

Tap into the passionate side of the delphinium flower with The Unbridled Passion -- part of UrbanStems collection with Netflix's hit show "Bridgerton." This bouquet, inspired by Kate and Anthony, captures the bubbling chemistry between the two characters that builds throughout their courtship. The vibrant colors and jewel tones reflect Kate's style and express their fiery relationship.

Bouquet Care

With a little bit of care, delphinium flowers can last six to eight days in a vase, giving plenty of time to enjoy their delicate blooms even when you order delphinium flowers online. Keep your delphinium flowers in a cool location out of direct sunlight. Every few days, trim the ends of the stems and replace the water for the longest shelf life.

Delphinium Frequently Asked Questions

What does delphinium look like?

Delphinium are towering spikes of flowers that grow in vibrant hues with clusters of blooms on each stem. Some types of delphinium can even grow up to six feet tall! They are known for the unique flower shape that the Greeks believed resembled a dolphin. Each flower consists of five sepals that form a hollow pocket with a spur at its end. Four small petals are inside this pocket that is usually the same color as the sepals. The most common color of delphinium is blue, but shades of white, purple, red, and violet are also seen, and many have a contrasting black or white "bee" in the center of the flower. When these various colors of delphinium are planted or arranged together, the effect is nothing short of beautiful. Plus, they attract a variety of creatures like butterflies, hummingbirds, and honey bees.

What is the difference between larkspur and delphinium flowers?

While the name delphinium came from the Greeks, the name larkspur was a Tudor invention. Where the Greeks saw a dolphin, the Tudors thought the shape of the bloom resembled a lark's claw, or spur. These two flowers are closely related, and often confused with one another, as they both grow vertically and have clusters of brightly colored blooms. Several differences between the two do exist. Larkspurs are annuals and delphiniums are perennials. Their visual differences lie in the structures of their flowers with the delphinium flowers clustering tightly in a column, while the larkspur's blooms are arranged more loosely on the stem.

How do you care for delphinium flowers?

Once a gardener learns how to care for delphinium flowers, they are rewarded with stunning blooms throughout the summer and fall. The delphinium flower is notorious for being difficult to grow, but, with a proper understanding of the flower's needs and the right conditions, delphinium makes a beautiful addition to any garden. Delphinium provide height at the rear of a garden bed, filling space and complementing other plants. If planting delphinium as a transplant, add to a garden bed in the spring for blooms throughout the summer. If growing the delphinium from seed, start 10 weeks before the last frost in order to allow time for seedlings to grow in time for transplant into the flower bed.

Moist, cool summers are a requirement for delphinium to thrive, as they do not grow well in hot and dry weather. Delphinium should be planted where they can get six to eight hours of sun every day but also be protected from strong winds. Soil should be well-draining and kept moist. They also benefit from frequent fertilizing -- every two to three weeks beginning in spring.