Delphiniums

Do delphiniums do well here in zone 8? I am planning my hummingbird garden and just love the look of them. Most I have ready about will only do well up to zone 7, so if you know of any types that you are having success with, please post! And, if you know a local nursery that has them, let me know. I live in Lakebay, work in Bonney Lake, and just don't have the time (or money!) to window shop as much as I'd like to. I'd end up buying out half the store and not showing up for work!

I just saw the most beautiful delphiniums last weekend at Ferguson's Fragrant Nursery, I am sure they have a website too. They had pink and lavendar shades as well as the traditional blues/purples. The man there said they have been doing lots of hybridizing work in New Zealand. He also explained the biggest reason people lose their delphiniums is rot and not freezing. He said when you cut off the growth before winter dormancy the hollow stalk acts like a siphon and the water just pools on the roots and thus rot. So he suggested mulching them. I have some delphs in the blue tones I have had many years now. I also read they like a little lime; they prefer less acidic soil than we usually have here in the PNW.

Thank you for the info, Lenjo. I found their website and wow the grounds look beautiful! I think I might have to take a "business trip" down there to check it out ;-) Would it be fishy sounding if I told my boss "no, I won't take my commuter car, I'm taking my husband's truck!"? LOL

My delphiniums are great this year! They do very well, but will likely need staking, plus slugs really really love them, so use slug bait around them from the minute they poke their heads up.

They like lime though? I'll have to remember to get some lime. I have LOTS of slug bait thanks to a sale at Home Depot. I bought the one that says safe around pets. Has worked so far and my dog seems to leave it alone.

MARI,
I hope SO, re: dog leave it alone, well, unless your dog IS a SLUG!!!! lol

Best;
bluelytes

No that would be the husband :P j/k!!