There's a bit of an historical link here at Struan Farm with delphiniums (or is it more properly delphinia?). Apparently there used to be a huge bed of them by the garage, a structure we now call the "mower shed" even though it's without a mower.
The family loves this old photo of their grandmother "MaeMae" with John's sister Louise amidst the delphiniums. They are a Victorian symbol of levity, which seems fitting since MaeMae had a wicked sense of humour by all accounts.
And so I'm trying to grow them around the place. Haven't been able to find those huge varieties pictured above, but I'll keep looking. I've bought what look to be modern hybrids, much smaller, and I've grown some from seed in the glasshouse. I'm doing battle with the snails and slugs, who also love them.
This is one of those trial and error, longer term projects, but we'll get there.
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