No matter what I do with my delphiniums, I still end up having to replace them every few years. Is there some trick I'm missing?
Herbaceous perennials are defined as any non-woody plant that lives more than two years. This is a harsh reality that many gardeners don't learn until they fall in love with a plant species that turns out to have a frustratingly brief lifespan.
Some perennials, such as hostas, daylilies and peonies are extremely long-lived, often persisting for twenty years or more even when neglected. In many cases – and barring any accidents of nature or judgement – they can be relied upon to outlive the gardener who planted them. Others, such as delphiniums, columbines, and lupines enjoy far shorter lives, often not making it past the five year mark, much to the frustration of gardeners who were hoping they would stick around indefinitely.
Replacing your delphiniums every few years likely has less to do with any mistakes you are making and more to do with expectations that are unrealistic for the plant you are growing. So you've got a choice. You can either replant your delphiniums every few years or invest in another species of perennial that has plans to stick around longer than you do.
If you have any questions or comments, please send them to me at vanessa@gardenmuse.ca.
Originally published in the Creston Valley Advance.
