Green Twist
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Delphiniums from Seed 2008Seeds available from Commercial Sources |
This section summarises Delphinium seeds likely to be of particular interest to discerning gardeners who wish to obtain delphiniums of high quality, such as 'Centurion Sky Blue' shown in the picture here, or to try out novelties. It is restricted to suppliers to amateur gardeners in the UK. It makes no attempt to cover seeds of strains such as Pacific Hybrids or Magic Fountains, which are very widely available.
The List is based on the seedsman's Catalogues for 2008. Each entry gives the catalogue number and price of the item with a brief description. I cannot vouch for the authenticity of claims made in respect of any item as the only way to verify them is to grow the seeds for yourself. There seems to have been a considerable reduction in the range of seed selections listed in Seed Catalogues following changes in the ownership of companies selling seeds to amateur gardeners. It is possible that other seed selections are offered online.
It is worth noting that some of the seed selections listed here are included in the Trial of Delphiniums from Seed at the RHS Garden, Wisley, Surrey that will be flowering during June 2008. These are indicated by *
F1 or possibly F2 hybrid Strains
Thompson & Morgan (UK) Ltd., Poplar Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP8 3BU, UK. Order online at www.thompson-morgan.com
| Strain | Description | Packet | Price | Cat No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
*Centurion Rose |
F1 Hybrid. Robust flower spikes with mid-rose pink flowers that have a white eye. |
20 seeds |
£2.49 | GAA 4585 |
| *Green Twist | From New Zealand breeder, Terry Dowdeswell, the strong plants produce tall spires of flowers in a blend of creamy white with green streaks. Some flowers eyeless. | 8 seeds | £4.99 | GAA 4476 |
| *Phantom | Strong stems of ghostly white flowers, spookily marked with dark chocolate to black splashes and veins | 12 seeds | £4.99 | GAA 4505 |
| Dusky Maiden | Long, strong, impressive flower spikes in dusky pink shades. From New Zealand breeder, Terry Dowdeswell. | 8 seeds | £4.69 | GAA 7366 |
| *Pagan Purples | Produces a range of multi-layered (double) blooms in a tasteful blend of blue/mauve. Densely packed spikes. | 8 seeds | £4.59 | GAA 7367 |
| New Zealand Hybrids | Strong flower spikes with evenly spaced florets. Disease resistant to both powdery mildew and black spot(?). Bright blues, soft pinks and the purest whites. | 12 seeds | £3.99 | GAA 6572 |
New Zealand Doubles Mixed |
Eyeless double flowers in a wide colour range on regular spikes |
10 seeds |
£4.99 | GAA 2920 |
| Dusky Maidens | Pagan Purples | N.Z Hybrids | Green Twist |
|---|---|---|---|
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Other interesting delphiniumsfrom T&M worth trying are Larkspur (Delphinium) chinense 'Gentian Blue' GAA7239 £1.89 ; grandiflorum 'Summer Blues' GAT2909, 20 seeds, £1.49; grandiflorum 'Summer Nights' GAT2904, 20 seeds £1.49. All these provide beautiful flowers on dwarf plants if grown as annuals. The last two are recently developed selections from Benary. a
T&M have some of the above delphiniums available as plants but please check the T&M website for details as there are deadlines for ordering.
Plants of Distinction, Abacus House, Station Yard, Needham Market, Suffolk, IP6 8AS. Tel: (01449) 721720 Web site: www.plantsofdistinction.co.uk
| Distant Memories F2 | Bold strong colours, with resilient stems | 50 Seeds | £2.15 | 1415 |
*Centurion Gentian Blue F1 |
Gentian blue flowers with black eyes |
10 seeds |
£3.75 |
1418A |
| *Centurion Sky Blue F1 | Fleuroselect Gold Medal winner. Powder blue flowers with white 'bees'. 5ft. | 10 seeds | £3.75 |
1418 |
Bitter Chocolate |
Sombre black and white flowers |
15 seeds |
£2.95 |
1415A |
| Red Fox | An improved selection of dwarf red Delphinium nudicaule introduced by Benary. An ideal patio plant | 50 seeds | £2.15 | 1427 |
Plants of Distinction also offers two F2 strains, 1419 'Horizon Blue' and 1420 'Mulberry Rose' at £2.15 for 50 seeds.
Availability of the following items in 2008 remains to be checked.
Mr Fothergills' Seeds, Kentford, Suffolk, CB8 7QB. Order online at www.mr-fothergills.co.uk A restricted list of delphiniums other than Magic Fountain or Pacific Hybrids, which are available in single colour selections
| Dreaming Spires F2 | High quality spikes of large florets in a range of beautiful shades, with or without contrasting bees | 25 seeds | £2.15 | 2150 |
| *Rosy Furture F2 | Mulberry rose and pink with both light and dark bees | 25 seeds | £2.15 | 1979 |
| D. grandiflorum 'Butterfly mixed' | A pretty colour mixture similar to the Amour strain previously offered by Unwins | 100 seeds | £1.45 | 2225 |
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