Two years ago I planted some giant delphinium in a boarder together with gladiolas and lillies with the view that I should get a good mix of colour from May through to September. This worked well the first year and everything grew well albeit a bit thin.

Last year the delphinium grew very well with plenty of stalks however there was no sign of the gladiolas or lillies which only managed to to grow a few sparce leaves each.

My initial reaction was that the delphinium were starving the over plants of light / food. Given how well the delphinium grew last year I am a bit apprehesive to move them, has anybody any ideas as to how I can encourage the lillies and gladiolas or alternatively suggest something that will grow well with the delphinium?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

barry16 wrote:


Two years ago I planted some giant delphinium in a boarder together with
gladiolas and lillies with the view that I should get a good mix of
colour from May through to September. This worked well the first year
and everything grew well albeit a bit thin.

Last year the delphinium grew very well with plenty of stalks however
there was no sign of the gladiolas or lillies which only managed to to
grow a few sparce leaves each.

My initial reaction was that the delphinium were starving the over
plants of light / food. Given how well the delphinium grew last year I
am a bit apprehesive to move them, has anybody any ideas as to how I can
encourage the lillies and gladiolas or alternatively suggest something
that will grow well with the delphinium?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks




You don't say where you are. From your email address It looks like you are
somewhere in the Kingdom. Are you sure that gladiolas will overwinter there
without the corms being dug up and stored where they wont freeze?

Thanks for replying, I am in Belfast. I have gladiolas planted elsewhere in the garden which have fared better that those in the boarder with the delphinium which lead me to believe that the delphinium were overshadowing the other plants?