Delphinium Society Trials at Home Farm Plants

by Graham Austin, Home Farm Plants based near Bovingdon, Herts, winner of many RHS Gold Medals - 22 May 2026

At Home Farm Plants we have a collection of over 100 Delphinium elatum that have been collected over many years. Some are rarely available elsewhere, in fact there are a number we believe we have saved from extinction by propagating and increasing the number of plants available to our customers.

We are active members of the Delphinium Society and this is where many new cultivars have originated from over the decades, with enthusiastic breeders doing fantastic work. However, as time goes by we are becoming increasingly aware that the number of new cultivars being registered are becoming less, with some years none being registered. We believe we are the last remaining commercial nursery actively breeding cutting raised delphiniums (all of which are propagated on the nursery).

With this in mind we are pleased to hold the Delphinium Society Trial at Home Farm Plants. Each trial lasts approximately 3 years and has delphiniums which potentially could be registered and named and maybe put forward for the RHS Award of Garden Merit. The trial is assessed each year by experienced delphinium growers to find the best delphiniums of that particular trial.

Delphinium 'Angela Rowe'

Delphinium 'Duncan Alexander'

Delphinium 'Emily Rosie'

The first trial was a great success with two cultivars standing out in particular; the clear pale blue of 'Angela Rowe' and a lovely mid blue which has been recently registered as 'Duncan Alexander'.

We look at them in both ways, from the perfection view and sales view, which are not necessarily the same. 

Cultivar 'Emily Rosie' has had mixed reviews in the trial, but any we have displayed at shows have proved popular and it's now on our sales list.

The current trial holds 18 different cultivars, raised by 9 different growers, and assessments are still ongoing. It will be interesting to see what becomes of the current trial.

Congratulations to Graham & Nina on their Gold Medal at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026.

Website: www.homefarmplants.co.uk