I have one called 'Carolina Moonlight' that's a soft yellow. I want the very yellow ones next!

Me too! I just got a small Carolina Moonlight and a second one coming in fall because it is on back order at Bluestone. I also got Purple Smoke.
http://www.bluestoneperennials...

I don't usually buy plants, and especially not plants online. But I may make an exception for Graceful Gardens' Delphiniums!

Thank you for the link! But the minimum order (one tray - 32 plants) is kind of big: $85. I don't think I'd splurge for more than 12 plants ($32). Whoops! Shipping to WA is $33 per tray. I guess not until after I win a lottery. Back to the seed catalogs!

http://www.gracefulgardens.com...

That is quite expensive. I split a tray with several people I work with, so that made it more reasonable for all of us.

The base price was great: $2.65 per plant

As with seed trading or coop purchases: often the postage costs more than the seeds.

Rick, do they grow in zone 8?

>> Rick, do they grow in zone 8?

Delphiniums? For sure, Delphinium elatum 'Pacific Giant' does great in MY Zone 8. I have mild dry summers as well as mild winters (and clouds and occasional drizzle the rest of the year).

But there are Zone 8s in Texas that I think would fry them to a crisp.

Here are some notes I found:

"Delphiniums thrive in regions with relatively cool and moist summers, and often struggle in hot, dry summer weather"

(I water mine fairly often in the summer, and give them coarse bark mulch )

"full sun (??to light shade??) and well-drained soil. "

"Choose an area protected from strong winds" (and/or support very well)

"Water plants during the summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. Soil should never dry out. "

"After the first killing frost, cut stems back to an inch or two above soil line."

"Divide plants every three to four years as new growth begins in the spring, lifting plants and dividing them into clumps. " ( < - - I didn't do this, and lost mine )

Graceful Gardens said "heavy feeders" - give them lots of compost (?or manure?). I'm having trouble connecting to Graceful Gardens right now. they had good advice.

www.gracefulgardens.com/information/information?information_id=9

(Thanks to Goldfinch4 / Chris.)

Our summers are very hot, it's not even cool at night. I get up at 4am and it's 85°.

Gack! I would melt into a puddle.

I don't know how people OR plants can survive that kind of heat.

Zone 8 Pacific NW, so different than Zone 8 Virginia, due to major differences in summer heat/humidity.

I love my yellow baptisia, I think it's 'lemon meringue.' Short bloomer in May-June.

Delphiniums are my favorites. I have a new delphinium bed which should look magnificent in 2014---all New Zealand hybrids---half started by seed from me this year (no blooms this year), and the other half the pink New Zealand hybrids, can't recall the name at the moment.....Look for pics in June 2014.

Here's the yellow baptisia with nepeta, pic taken May 19, 2013

Beautiful, I love the combination. Can't wait to see your pics.

Rick, I've never divided my delphiniums....maybe I better divide that big clump this fall. Thanks for the reminder!

Stephanie, that is a nice combo. I'm looking forward to pics of your new bed too.