Hearst Castle TOURS VISITOR CENTER WHAT'S NEW BEHIND THE SCENES HISTORY ART COLLECTION
Hearst Castle - Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument
Hearst Castle home Contact Contact Contact Frequently Asked Questions home
 
border
California Fan Palm (Washingtonia filifera)
Bougainvillea Trained to grow on Guest Houses
Botanical Name
Delphinium elatum
Family
Ranunculaceae
Origin
Native to mainly northern hemisphere temperate zones.
 
At Hearst Castle
Delphiniums can be found in a number of places usually used as bedding plants; planted inside the parterres throughout the formal Mediterranean gardens or used as a colorful background border along the South Esplanade.
 
Description
Delphiniums grown in the gardens are mainly derived from D. elatum and its hybrids. These include the Belladonna, Elatum and Pacific Hybrids. These plants are grown as perennials but often treated as biennials or annuals. Individual flowers can be as wide as 2 ½" across w. star-like single, semi-double or double shapes. These flowers range in colors from mauve to purple, blue, violet and white on erect spikes as tall as 5 feet in the case of the Pacific Hybrids. Leaves are somewhat lobed and divided.
Comments
Delphiniums are usually divided into different warm and cool growing hybrids. The word Delphin-ium: Latin delphin, dolphin, from the shape of the flowers and elatum meaning tall.

 




"Hearst Castle", "Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument", "La Cuesta Encantada",
and "The Enchanted Hill" are registered trademarks of Hearst Castle®/California State Parks.
©2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 California State Parks, All rights reserved.

 
 
  Restoration of the Doge's Balcony Ceiling
  Door in Gothic Suite
  1930's Greenhouse
  Neptune Pool
 
About the Gardens
  Garden Preservation
  Plants of Spring
  Plants of Winter
  Plants of Fall
  Plants of Summer
  Photos Needed for Garden Restoration Project.
 
  Tour Guide Training
  State Park
Involvement
 
  Volunteer Programs
  Living History
Program