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Delphiniums: more than just a pretty flower

28 July 2011

With near record breaking heat levels in the city, some are wishing for cooler times.  Sure it might be sticky and hazy but, here at Pistil, summer means access to a wondrous array of local flowers.  Delphiniums, the birth flower of July, are just one of the many beautiful blooms of the season. 

The name Delphinium is derived from the Greek word “delphis” which means dolphin.  Ancient Greeks saw a likeness between the flower and the snout of a dolphin.  

 

Delphiniums are tall plants that can grow to amazing heights of up to 6 feet.  Their long flower-filled stems are loaded with dense clusters of blossoms.  With hybridization, the flower’s colour range is quite expansive but the most common include a broad spectrum of blues from soft powder to deep sky as well as white and purples. 

 

Apart from their visual allure, these gorgeous blossoms have been used in history for many useful purposes.  From ground delphinium flowers, Native Americans made blue dye and European settlers made ink.  Not surprising given the flowers’ intense hues.  More shocking though are some of the medicinal uses including using delphiniums to repel such pests as lice and the most ancient use to ward off scorpions. 

 

Thankfully we’re not in scorpion country and we can admire and enjoy delphiniums for their sheer beauty. 

- The Pistil Team

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