Magic Fountains Dark Blue Dark Bee Delphinium
Magic Fountains Dark Blue Dark Bee Delphinium
Deep Royal-Blue Spires Sized for the Real-World Border
Magic Fountains Dark Blue Dark Bee Delphinium (Delphinium elatum 'Magic Fountains Dark Blue Dark Bee') brings rich, saturated royal-blue spires accented with a dark center "bee" — the most dramatic color in the series — on a midsize plant that rarely needs heavy staking. Blooming in early to midsummer, it draws hummingbirds and bees. Deer-resistant and reliably hardy, it's a bold cottage-garden classic for sunny borders in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Magic Fountains Dark Blue Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Delphinium elatum 'Magic Fountains Dark Blue Dark Bee' |
| Mature Size | 30–36 in. tall, 18–24 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, often reblooming if cut back |
| Flower Color | Deep royal-blue with a dark 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
Bold vertical accents: The deep blue spires command attention in the middle and back of the border. Space 18–24 inches apart.
Pollinator and cut-flower gardens: Hummingbirds and bees love the blooms, and the spires are superb cut. Pair with roses, white phlox, and Shasta daisies.
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 Magic Fountains Dark Blue 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 18–24 inches apart. In windy spots, a light stake or peony ring keeps spires upright.
Watering Magic Fountains Dark Blue 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 the base to encourage a second flush.
Q: Does it need staking?
Less than towering delphiniums — in sheltered spots it stands on its own; in windy sites a light support helps.
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
Guardian Blue Delphinium (Delphinium): A taller, deep-blue spire for the back of the border.
Shasta Daisy (Leucanthemum): A white-daisy classic cottage-garden partner.
Peony (Paeonia): A timeless companion for the early-summer border.
How Many Magic Fountains Dark Blue Delphinium Do I Need?
These midsize spires stand 18–24 in wide, so space plants 21 in on center for a bold vertical block, or plant in groups of 3–5 for a cottage-garden cluster. For a border run at 21 in o.c.:
| Run length | 5 ft | 10 ft | 15 ft | 20 ft |
| Plants (21 in o.c.) | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 |
Magic Fountains Dark Blue Delphinium Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Deeply cut green foliage mounds up and sends up flower stalks as the weather warms.
- Summer: Dense spires of deep royal-blue flowers with a dark center bee open early to midsummer, drawing hummingbirds and bees.
- Fall: Cut back after the first flush and it often reblooms with a lighter second flush into early fall.
- Winter: Dies back to the crown and returns reliably with good drainage, hardy to -30°F.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant
Plant It With
- Magic Fountains Lilac Pink Delphinium — a soft pink from the same midsize series for a layered spire planting.
- Bartzella Peony — lush yellow blooms make a classic early-summer cottage-garden partner.
- Johnson’s Blue Cranesbill — lavender-blue flowers weave a low skirt at the base of the spires.
- Sombrero Granada Gold Coneflower — golden daisies pick up the bloom as the delphinium fades.
Is Magic Fountains Dark Blue Delphinium Right for Your Yard?
This midsize delphinium wants full sun to part shade and rich, moist, well-drained soil — cottage borders and cut-flower beds suit it, and it rarely needs the heavy staking towering types demand. Not a fit where children or pets graze, since all parts are toxic if eaten, and it sulks in hot, dry, poor soil.