DELPHINIUMS. 



27 



brightness to the flower. These have been secured by careful cross-fertilisation of the 

 most perfect varieties. 



The delphinium presents among its many species, a selection of which is given 

 below, considerable range of colouring, but among the hybrid varieties, blues of nume- 

 rous shades or purples were for years the only colours represented. Within the last 

 few years, however, plants with white and creamy -white flowers have appeared among 

 the hybrids, and we may thus confidently look forward to the introduction of new tints 

 which will form delightful contrasts or harmonies with the others. The colouring of 

 many of the blue delphiniums is superb. Almost pearl blues are found among them ; 

 while darker shades arc numerous, many having an exquisite lustrous sheen on the 

 sepals. What is generally known as the " eye " in the centre is wonderfully varied 

 in colouring. Some plants have the eye white, others brown, and others black, and the 

 fine new white one named Beauty of Langport has these centre petals of a pale yellow. 



The form of the flowers is also to some extent diverse ; single, semi-double, and 

 double flowers occurring among these showy plants. 



The various original species, some of which have not yet been used for hybridising, 

 are also of considerable beauty, and some should be included in good borders of hardy 

 flowers. 



The points of a good delphinium have not yet been very fully defined. The " Eules 

 for Judging," issued by the Eoyal Horticultural Society (the 1896 code) state that if 

 prizes are offered for these, "judges must take into consideration their (a) cultivation, 

 (b) form, (c) freshness, and (d) colour, allotting points on the following general lines : — 

 Culture, 3 points; Form, 2; Freshness, 2; Colour 1." To this we may add that the 

 form should be circular, and the spike as closely set as possible without crowding. 

 Some of the double and semi-double plants have the blooms too wide apart, a defect 

 which considerably reduces the beauty of the spikes either for exhibition or garden 

 ornament. 



For general garden purposes the single-flowered delphiniums present a more showy 

 appearance, but the newer semi-doubles are nearly as good. The delphinium deserves 

 high cultivation ; although in a somewhat poor soil, with a free root run, it makes 

 better growth than would be supposed. A good loam deeply dug, with a free admixture 

 of manure added as the work progresses, will grow it well. With such preparation 

 little more will be required for many years, with the exception of removing a little of 

 the soil about the plant every year or two for the purpose of adding a supply of well- 



e2 



