When seeking a garden that will leave visitors absolutely stunned by its magnificence, selecting the right plants can prove challenging. Fortunately, horticultural expert Alan Titchmarsh has revealed his top choice for a truly spectacular bloom that will elevate any garden to extraordinary heights.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Alan showcases the stunning delphinium flower, specifically praising the Highlander Bolero variety. Expressing his admiration for this particular bloom, he describes it as “spectacular,” noting that it can reach impressive heights of seven to eight feet.
Alan’s preference aligns with distinguished taste, as King Charles has also declared these as his favourite flower.
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Alan is particularly fond of the Highlander Bolero variety of delphinium -Credit:Getty
Whilst these blooms are undeniably show-stopping, Alan acknowledges they demand considerable attention, requiring frequent feeding. He explains: “They are greedy.
“When they’ve got that much growth to put on, they’re going to need a lot of sustenance below ground or in the ground, so loads of muck, well-rotted garden compost. Make the soil as rich as you possibly can.”
Nevertheless, delphiniums present an additional challenge, as they prove irresistible to slugs and snails, with these garden pests treating them like “five-star hotels.”
To protect your delphiniums from harm, Alan recommends staying vigilant with slug prevention measures, beginning immediately when new shoots appear in March or April. When properly maintained, the delphinium will yield “glorious” towers of blooms that resemble elaborate cake decorations.
Delphiniums may only have a short blooming period, but they do look stunning -Credit:Getty
Unfortunately, their flowering season spans just a few brief weeks, though you’ll undoubtedly wish to host numerous garden gatherings during that spectacular period.
Regarding garden placement, delphiniums serve as a “back of the border” specimen, since you’ll require other star performers positioned in front to assume centre stage once the delphiniums have finished their display.
In addition to delphiniums, Alan has revealed several other spectacular plants.
Alan Titchmarsh’s top ‘showstopping’ plants:
Foxglove (Illumination Flame)
Liatris (Kansas Gayfeather)
Salvia (Purple and Bloom)
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