Delphinium Samba - Larkspur

Highlanger Delphinium 'Samba', just like its siblings 'Flamenco', 'Cha Cha', ''Bolero' and 'Sweet Sensation', is a stout perennial larkspur that does not require staking and produces many very double, even triple, flowers throughout the summer. This larkspur produces floral spikes loaded with large double, frilly, cream-white flowers with a pale green centre, touched with blue on the outside. Its flowers are remarkable in bouquets, and delightful in flower beds or containers.

This recently obtained Highlander Delphinium 'Samba', bears a name that refers to the famous mountainous and wild region of Scotland, a land rich in history and legends. Belonging to the buttercup family, it comes from the Delphinium elatum, the tall larkspur found in cool meadows, at high altitudes, in the Alps of Europe, and in southern, central and eastern Europe, as far as Siberia, Mongolia and China. This plant has given rise, among others, to the famous "Pacific Giant" series.

The variety 'Samba' forms a sturdy short-lived herbaceous perennial plant with rapid growth. It forms a clump of highly divided, decorative palmate, tender green leaves, 45-55 cm (18-22in) tall, from which flowering spikes 1 m (3ft) tall emerge in summer. The flowering starts in June, and then continues until the first frost, provided that the faded spikes are removed. It is loved by pollinating insects. The full flowers are composed of 40 to 60 incurved petals, perfectly layered one into the other and arranged in several ranks. They are tightly packed on sturdy stems facing up to the wind and rain well. They are rich in colours: the outermost petals are washed with blue on the reverse side, those in the intermediate level are cream-white, and those in the centre are pale green. The plant develops from a woody rootstock that sinks vertically into the ground. The above-ground, deciduous vegetation disappears in winter.

The characteristic silhouette of Delphiniums brings breadth, height, and charm to perennial plant beds, similar to hollyhocks that lack the blue tones that make larkspurs splendid. They are good companions for roses, forming charming and romantic scenes. You can also create a beautiful combination with echinaceas, violet or pink perennial salvias (Salvia nemorosa), and grasses, in a more rustic spirit, and even ornamental garlic. This modest-sized variety can be supported by small flowering shrubs or tall perennials: Escallonia, dwarf buddleias, dwarf lilacs, tree peonies and shrubby mallows Its flowers hold up well in bouquets.

Note: From March to September, the stems of our delphiniums are pruned short to allow better branching of the crown and achieve optimal rooting. This also prevents the stems from breaking during transport.