{"product_id":"guardian-blue-delphinium","title":"Guardian Blue Delphinium","description":"\u003ch1\u003eTall, Sturdy Deep-Blue Spires for the Back of the Border\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGuardian Blue Delphinium (\u003cem\u003eDelphinium\u003c\/em\u003e 'Guardian Blue') delivers the towering, classic delphinium spire — dense columns of deep blue flowers reaching 3 to 4 feet — on stems bred to be sturdier and more uniform than old-fashioned types. Blooming in early to midsummer, it's a magnet for hummingbirds and bees and a showstopper at the back of a sunny border. Deer-resistant and reliably hardy for gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGuardian Blue Delphinium Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDelphinium elatum 'Guardian Blue'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e36–48 in. tall, 18–24 in. wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEarly to midsummer, often reblooming if cut back\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeep blue\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMoist, rich, well-drained; amend clay with compost\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -30°F once established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely browsed — foliage is unpalatable to deer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBack-of-border drama:\u003c\/strong\u003e Its tall spires make a stunning vertical backdrop and a classic cottage-garden statement. Space 18–24 inches apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator and cut-flower gardens:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hummingbirds and bees love the blooms, and the long spires are spectacular cut. Pair with roses, peonies, and white phlox.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring (late April–May) or early fall into rich, moist soil. Water through establishment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Guardian Blue Delphinium\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDig 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 18–24 inches apart. Stake the tall spires early, especially in windy or exposed sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Guardian Blue Delphinium\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep evenly moist — water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter year one:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prefers steady moisture and rich soil; cut spent spires to the base to encourage a strong second flush.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Does it need staking?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — at 3 to 4 feet, the tall spires benefit from staking, especially in windy spots. Stake early as growth begins.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is delphinium poisonous?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — all parts are toxic if eaten. Plant it away from where children or pets might nibble, and wash hands after handling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — hardy to zone 3 with good drainage over winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — deer rarely browse delphinium foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMagic Fountains Dark Blue Dark Bee Delphinium:\u003c\/strong\u003e A midsize deep blue with less staking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeony (Paeonia):\u003c\/strong\u003e A timeless companion for the early-summer border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShasta Daisy (Leucanthemum):\u003c\/strong\u003e A white-daisy classic cottage-garden partner.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54315448205617,"sku":null,"price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/guardian-blue-delphinium.jpg?v=1779747492","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/guardian-blue-delphinium","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}