This year has been declared the Year of the Delphinium by the National Garden Bureau. And we’re in luck — delphiniums grow well in the High Desert climate.

Delphiniums are one of 300 species in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family. “Delphis” is the Greek word for dolphin, which somewhat describes the flower: The petals resemble the nose and fins of a dolphin.

Delphiniums grow on tall spikes and are commonly used as background plants in landscapes, and they are a common flower in the design of a cottage garden. No other perennial plant offers the range of blue hues. White, pink and lavender are also popular colors, with some development in red, orange and yellow hues.

Delphiniums and larkspur are often confused. Larkspurs are annuals that share some characteristics with delphiniums. The color range and shape of the flower are similar. Larkspurs readily reseed themselves, so they are often confused with being a perennial. Most often, larkspur seed is sold as a color mix.

There is always the good and the bad with most of the plant kingdom, and this plant isn’t any different. Delphiniums also attract various pollinators, including butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. They are listed in some catalogs as being deer resistant, but you know how that goes — your yard or mine? There is a consensus that the plant is toxic if ingested. The issue of toxicity is confusing but important to be aware of for those who like to experiment with new teas and salad ingredients.

I have always found delphiniums easy to grow and generally frost hardy. They could be bothered with snails and slugs in areas where that is generally an issue. So far we haven’t had those problems, and that is why we need to be vigilant when purchasing plants grown in other areas and shipped in. As serious gardeners, it is permissible to check out the root systems of purchased plants of unknown origin. “Consumer beware” applies to plant materials as well as an expensive household item. If you do gently tap the plant out of the container and find a slug or snail, bring it to the attention of a manager so the plant can be removed and taken care of. It is too great a problem for gardeners to not help prevent the spread of pests.

Powdery mildew, caused by high humidity and poor air circulation, can also affect delphiniums. We don’t live in a naturally high humidity climate, but the mildew can happen. In many cases, mildew is caused from overhead watering systems and irrigating too late in the day. The best way to prevent the problem is to irrigate early enough in the day to allow the foliage to dry. Air circulation around the plants should be open and free of encroaching plant neighbors.

Delphinium plants are popular nursery plants and easy to find when the time is right. If you like starting your own seeds, you may have to order from a seed catalog. I’m not sure they are popular enough to be offered on a seed rack.

Nancy Bubel’s “The New Seed-Starters Handbook” offers advice on germinating delphinium seeds.

Bubel suggests using fresh seed, meaning the seed packet should be packed for 2016 germination because the seeds lose viability with age. Start seeds in a good seed-starting mix, and keep the planted seeds dark. To ensure darkness, I usually place a layer of newspaper over the seed tray. Seeds germinate between eight to 15 days at 60 to 75 degrees.

Delphiniums do best in a rich soil. Place plants about 2 feet apart, and feed plants twice a year.

Once the first tall flower spike is through blooming, remove it right below the lowest flower. Leave the foliage to produce more sugar (energy) for future blooms. New small shoots should begin to grow near the base of the plant soon after the blossom has been trimmed. These form smaller flower spikes later in the summer or early fall. Mulching is not recommended because it can cause stem rot. After a heavy frost late in the fall or an early winter, the plants should be cut back and cleaned up. At this point, the crown can be protected with leaves or straw. Mark your spring to-do list to be sure and remove the coverings in the spring.

An extra bonus is that delphiniums, as well as the annual larkspur, make wonderful dried flowers. I usually just hang them in small bundles and air-dry in the garage. Recently I read that the best way to do this is in a cool, dark, dry place standing in 3 inches of water, which slowly evaporates. It may take a little longer, but the claim is that the flowers will hold to the stem longer. If you dry any variety of flowers, the best results are obtained when the flowers are picked as they are beginning to open or just freshly opened.

— Reporter: douville@bendbroadband.com