348 FRITZ BAHR'S COMMERCIAL FLORICULTURE 



Fig. 144. DELPHINIUM. This may well 

 be considered the most valuable of all per- 

 ennials for the florist, at least. For cut 

 flowers the Belladonna hybrids are the 

 most useful 



The hybrid Delphiniums 

 that we grow from seed, with 

 their blue flowers of many 

 shades, are among the most 

 stately subjects for the peren- 

 nial border. Growing up to 

 five feet in height, they are 

 not particular as to soil so long 

 as it is not too heavily manured. 

 As cut flowers they are hard to 

 beat and, as with Belladonna, 

 while the main crop will come 

 in June or early July, if not 

 allowed to go to seed the plants 

 will flower until late in the 

 Fall. The flower spikes of the 

 young plants are usually only 

 about eighteen inches long; 

 used with Shasta Daisies they 

 make a most pleasing arrange- 

 ment. Those with greenhouses 

 can also use the field-grown 

 plants for forcing under glass. 

 Besides all this, every retail 

 grower should be able to dis- 

 pose of great numbers of 

 plants among his customers in 

 Fall and Spring. 



Everybody likes Larkspur, 

 especially the lighter shades 

 and the turquoise blue, as found 

 in the Belladonnas. D. formo- 

 sum while a fine sort, is almost 

 too deep a shade of blue ; under 

 artificial light it is rather dull. 



GROWING ON STOCK 



For the florist, the best way to grow on a good stock of Del- 

 phinium plants is from seed. Purchase either Belladonna or a 

 good strain of mixed hybrids, or both. You will have good use for 

 all the different shades and if there are any you especially like, there 

 is nothing easier than to save your own seed. 



The best time to sow is in January, in flats. With fresh seed 

 ninety per cent will germinate and make good plants. Grow in a 

 50-deg. house and carry the plants along in the flats into which you 



