Delphinium Companion Plants – What Are Good Companions For Delphinium

delphinium companions
delphinium companions
(Image credit: erperlstrom)

No cottage garden is complete without graceful delphiniums standing tall in the background. Delphinium, hollyhock, or mammoth sunflowers are the most common plants used for back borders of flowerbeds or grown along fences. Commonly known as larkspur, delphiniums earned a beloved place in the Victorian language of flowers by representing an open heart. Delphinium flowers were often used in wedding bouquets and garlands along with lilies and chrysanthemums. Continue reading to learn about companions for delphinium in the garden.

Delphinium Companion Plants

Depending on variety, delphinium plants can grow 2 to 6 feet (61 cm. to 2 m.) tall and 1 to 2 feet (31-61 cm.) wide. Oftentimes, tall delphiniums will need staking or some kind of support, as they can get beaten down by heavy rains or wind. They can sometimes become so laden with blooms that even the slightest breeze or little pollinator landing on them can seem to make them topple over. Using other tall border plants as delphinium plant companions can help shelter them from winds and rains while offering additional support too. These may include:

If using stakes or plant rings for support, planting medium height perennials as delphinium companion plants can help hide the unsightly stakes and supports. Any of the following will work well for this:

What to Plant Next to Delphiniums

When companion planting with delphinium, you have many options, and what to plant next to delphiniums is completely up to you. Using certain plants like chamomile, chervil, or legumes may have some nutrient benefits as companions for delphinium, but no plants seem to cause it harm or irregular growth when planted next to nearby. Delphiniums are deer resistant, and though Japanese beetles are attracted to the plants; they reportedly die from eating toxins from within them. Delphinium plant companions may benefit from this pest resistance. Delphiniums early summer soft pink, white, and purple blooms make them beautiful companion plants for numerous perennials. Plant them in cottage style flower beds with any of the previously mentioned plants above in addition to:

Darcy Larum