Delphina Dark Blue White Bee Delphinium
Delphina Dark Blue White Bee Delphinium
Dwarf Deep-Blue Spires That Bloom the First Year — No Staking
Delphina Dark Blue White Bee Delphinium (Delphinium elatum 'Delphina Dark Blue White Bee') packs rich, deep-blue spires accented with crisp white center "bees" onto a tidy, dwarf plant that flowers in its first year and never needs staking. Blooming in early to midsummer, it draws hummingbirds and bees. Deer-resistant and reliably hardy, it's a bold, fuss-free accent for the front of sunny borders in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Delphina Dark Blue White Bee Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Delphinium elatum 'Delphina Dark Blue White Bee' |
| Mature Size | 12–18 in. tall, 10–14 in. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Bloom Time | Early to midsummer (first-year flowering), often reblooming |
| Flower Color | Deep blue with a white center bee |
| Soil | Moist, rich, well-drained; amend clay with compost |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to -30°F once established |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed — foliage is unpalatable to deer |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Front-of-border vertical accents: Dwarf, self-supporting spires add deep-blue height up front without staking. Space 12–14 inches apart.
Pollinator and container gardens: Compact enough for large pots; hummingbirds and bees love it. Pair with hardy geraniums, catmint, and dianthus.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall into rich, moist soil. Water through establishment.
How to Plant Delphina Dark Blue White Bee Delphinium
Dig a hole twice the pot's width at the same depth, mixing in compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch 2 inches deep, keeping mulch off the crown. Space 12–14 inches apart.
Watering Delphina Dark Blue White Bee Delphinium
First year: Keep evenly moist — water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Prefers steady moisture and rich soil; cut spent spires to encourage rebloom.
Q: Does it bloom the first year and need staking?
It flowers in its first season and its dwarf, sturdy habit needs no staking.
Q: Is delphinium poisonous?
Yes — all parts are toxic if eaten. Plant it away from where children or pets might nibble, and wash hands after handling.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — hardy to zone 3 with good drainage over winter.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — deer rarely browse delphinium foliage.
You May Also Like
Delphina Light Blue White Bee Delphinium: A sky-blue dwarf from the same series.
Catmint (Nepeta): A deer-resistant blue partner for the front of the border.
Hardy Geranium (Cranesbill): A long-blooming companion that weaves around the spires.
How Many Delphina Dark Blue White Bee Delphinium Do I Need?
At roughly 13 in spacing, use this as a quick guide for a front-border grouping:
| Run length | Plants needed |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 9 plants |
| 20 ft | 18 plants |
| 30 ft | 28 plants |
| 40 ft | 37 plants |
Dwarf spires look best planted in clusters of 3–5 spaced 12–14 in apart for a solid block of color.
Delphina Dark Blue White Bee Delphinium Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Mounds of deeply cut foliage emerge and the first flower spires begin to rise.
- Summer: Compact columns of deep-blue flowers with white center bees appear in early to midsummer; hummingbirds and bees visit them.
- Fall: Cutting spent spires can bring a lighter late-season rebloom before frost.
- Winter: Dies back to the ground; the hardy crown overwinters to zone 3 and returns in spring.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant
Plant It With
- Delphina Light Blue White Bee Delphinium — the sky-blue sister from the same dwarf series for a two-tone blue block.
- Delphina Pink White Bee Delphinium — soft pink spires that soften the deep-blue columns.
- Biokovo Cranesbill — a long-blooming hardy geranium that weaves around the spire bases.
- Blue Fortune Hyssop — another upright, bee-covered spike for a long-blooming sunny border.
Is Delphina Dark Blue White Bee Delphinium Right for Your Yard?
Delphina Dark Blue White Bee Delphinium thrives in full sun to part shade with rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil, and its dwarf, sturdy habit needs no staking. Not a fit if children or pets graze the bed — all parts of delphinium are toxic if eaten — or in hot, dry spots where it can't get steady moisture.