{"product_id":"delphinium-pacific-giant-summer-skies","title":"Delphinium Pacific Giant Summer Skies","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"product-description\"\u003e\n\u003ch1 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eDelphinium 'Summer Skies' Seeds\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want to create a show-stopping cottage garden, you need height, and nothing provides it quite like a Pacific Giant Delphinium. 'Summer Skies' is widely considered the most beautiful blue variety, producing towering, sturdy spikes (up to 1.8m) packed with large, semi-double flowers in the clearest shade of azure-blue, each with a crisp white \"bee\" in the centre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are architectural giants that demand attention. Blooming in early summer (June\/July), they create a spectacular vertical backdrop for roses and peonies. They are also superb cut flowers—just one stem is enough to create a dramatic arrangement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRead More\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"color: #005bd3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e🌿 Understanding the Plant\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 10px 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDelphinium is a \u003cstrong\u003eHardy Perennial\u003c\/strong\u003e (often treated as short-lived, lasting 3-5 years).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt dies back to the ground in winter and re-emerges in spring with vigorous new growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Pacific Giant Advantage:\u003c\/strong\u003e This strain was bred in California specifically to have stronger stems and larger flowers than the wild species, making them better suited to garden borders, though they will still need staking!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSafety Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e All parts of the Delphinium plant are toxic if ingested. Wash hands after handling seeds or plants.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"color: #005bd3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 10px 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDelphinium seeds can be temperamental if they get too warm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe \"Fridge Trick\":\u003c\/strong\u003e Heat dormancy is common. For best results, place the seed packet in your \u003cstrong\u003efridge for 7 days\u003c\/strong\u003e before sowing to wake them up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSow indoors from February to June, or Sept-Oct. Sow on the surface of moist compost and cover very lightly (they need darkness to germinate). Keep \u003cstrong\u003ecool\u003c\/strong\u003e (15-18°C)—a hot windowsill will kill them! Germination takes 14-28 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere to Sow:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey need \u003cstrong\u003efull sun\u003c\/strong\u003e and rich, fertile soil. Dig in plenty of manure before planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare While Growing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSlugs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slugs adore young delphiniums. You \u003cstrong\u003emust\u003c\/strong\u003e protect them with grit, wool pellets, or traps as soon as you plant them out.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStaking:\u003c\/strong\u003e These are giants. Stake them early with sturdy canes to prevent summer storms snapping the hollow stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"color: #005bd3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e📋 Plant Specifications\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 10px 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eDelphinium elatum\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eDelphinium 'Summer Skies'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eH5\u003c\/strong\u003e (Hardy Perennial)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight Required\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eFull Sun ☀️\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e↕️ 1.5m - 1.8m (Giant)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpread\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e↔️ 60cm - 75cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e🌱 75cm apart\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGreat for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e🏰 Back of Border\u003cbr\u003e✂️ Dramatic Cut Flowers\u003cbr\u003e🐝 Bees\u003cbr\u003e🏡 Cottage Gardens\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeed Count\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eApprox. 50 seeds per packet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"color: #005bd3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e🤝 Perfect Garden Companions\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 10px 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDelphiniums need neighbours to hide their lower leaves and support their colour:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"list-style-type: none; padding-left: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 1.3em;\"\u003e🌹\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eShrub Roses:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Classic English Pair. Pale pink roses (like 'Gertrude Jekyll') look exquisite against the azure blue of 'Summer Skies'. The roses also help hide the gap at the base of the Delphinium stems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 1.3em;\"\u003e🟡\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #005bd3;\" title=\"Achillea Cloth of Gold Seeds\" href=\"\/products\/achillea-cloth-of-gold-seeds\"\u003eAchillea 'Cloth of Gold':\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e The Shape Contrast. The flat, horizontal plates of yellow Achillea contrast perfectly with the vertical blue spikes of the Delphinium. Blue and Yellow is a timeless, high-energy summer combination.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"color: #005bd3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e📅 Sowing \u0026amp; Flowering Calendar\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 10px 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSow indoors in spring or autumn. Flowers June-July (often with a second flush in Sept).\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"overflow-x: auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;\"\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0; border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: 0.9em; min-width: 300px;\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;\"\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: left; position: sticky; left: 0; background-color: #f4f4f4; z-index: 10; max-width: 100px;\"\u003eMonth\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eJ\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eF\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eM\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eA\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eM\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eJ\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eJ\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eA\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eS\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eO\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eN\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eD\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; position: sticky; left: 0; background-color: #fff; z-index: 10; font-size: 0.9em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow Indoors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #d4edda;\"\u003e🟢\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #d4edda;\"\u003e🟢\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #d4edda;\"\u003e🟢\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #d4edda;\"\u003e🟢\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #d4edda;\"\u003e🟢\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #d4edda;\"\u003e🟢\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; position: sticky; left: 0; background-color: #fff; z-index: 10; font-size: 0.9em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers (Yr 2+)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #f8d7da;\"\u003e🌸\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #f8d7da;\"\u003e🌸\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #f8d7da;\"\u003e🌸\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top: 30px; text-align: center; padding: 20px; background-color: #f4f9f4; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid #dce7dc;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Second Flush:\u003c\/strong\u003e If you cut the main flower spike down to the ground immediately after it fades in July, and feed the plant well, it will often produce a second flush of smaller blue flowers in September!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42772493795425,"sku":"DEL-SSS","price":3.4,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/9128\/3041\/files\/delphinium-pacific-giant-summer-skies-1250189.jpg?v=1768812274","url":"https:\/\/secretgardeningclub.co.uk\/products\/delphinium-pacific-giant-summer-skies","provider":"Secret Gardening Club","version":"1.0","type":"link"}