Delphinium 'Black Knight' (Delphinium 'Black Knight')

Botanical name

Delphinium 'Black Knight'

Other names

Delphinium Black Knight Group, Delphinium 'Black Knight'

Genus

Delphinium Delphinium

Variety or Cultivar

'Black Knight' _ 'Black Knight' is a tall perennial with dense flower spikes of semi-double, dark purple flowers with black 'eyes' in summer.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Clump-forming, Erect

Toxicity

All parts of the plant may cause severe discomfort if ingested. Contact with sap may cause skin irritation.

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Colour

Flower

Dark-purple in Summer

Foliage

Green in Summer

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Caterpillars , Slugs , Snails , Leaf-mining sawflies

Specific diseases

Black blotch of Delphinium , Crown rot , Powdery mildew

General care

Pruning

Deadhead by cutting spent flower spikes back to small flowering side shoots. Cut down all growth to ground level after it has withered in autumn.

Propagation

Divide every 3-4 years to maintain vigour.

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Delphinium 'Black Knight' (Delphinium 'Black Knight') will reach a height of 1.7m and a spread of 0.75m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders

Cultivation

Plant in a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Apply a fortnightly balanced liquid feed during the growing season. Stake with bamboo canes in mid-spring.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained, Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Delphinium 'Black Knight' (Delphinium 'Black Knight')

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Phytophthora tentaculata Kröber & Marwitz - All Hosts

Type

Oomycete

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous pathogen present in parts of Europe and beyond.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/