Heirloom

Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom

Delphinium elatum

Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Harvest

105-125d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

3–7

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

3-5 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom · Zones 3–7

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-draining loam

WaterRegular; consistent moisture during growth, drought-tolerant once established

SeasonPerennial

ColorSoft lilac-pink with white centers

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Complete Growing Guide

Pastel blooms with white centers (bees). Soft lilac-pink color works especially well for spring bouquets and design work. Dwarf Pacific type with full florets and tight internodes. Magic Fountains' sturdy, compact plants will tolerate windy locations. Attracts bees and butterflies. This species of delphinium is also known as candle larkspur. Perennial in Zones 3-7. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom is 105 - 125 days to maturity, perennial, open pollinated. Notable features: Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, Attracts Beneficial Insects.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter. Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet, 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom reaches harvest at 105 - 125 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds.

Edibility: Toxic if eaten.

Storage & Preservation

Freshly cut Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom spikes last longest in a cool location with indirect light. Remove lower leaves and split the stem base before placing in a clean vase filled with cool water mixed with floral preservative. Refresh water every 2-3 days. Vase life is typically 10-14 days.

For preservation, air-drying is ideal: bundle 5-7 stems together and hang upside-down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space (attic, garage) for 2-3 weeks until papery-dry. Dried Magic Fountains retain their soft pink color beautifully and hold in arrangements for months. Alternatively, press individual florets between parchment for delicate herbarium or craft use. Freeze fresh blooms in ice cubes for decorative cocktails or specialty uses, though they won't retain shape for arrangements. Store dried spikes in acid-free boxes in a dry environment away from direct sunlight.

History & Origin

Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Europe to Mongolia

Advantages

+Soft lilac-pink pastel blooms create stunning spring bouquets and floral designs.
+Dwarf compact habit thrives in windy locations without staking needed.
+Attracts bees and butterflies while providing long-lasting garden color display.
+Full florets with tight internodes create dense, professional-looking flower spikes.
+Cold-hardy perennial thriving in Zones 3-7 for reliable year-after-year growth.

Considerations

-Long 105-125 day growing period requires patience before flowering begins.
-Delphiniums susceptible to powdery mildew in humid or poorly ventilated areas.
-Requires well-draining soil; clay-heavy or waterlogged conditions cause root rot.
-Deer and slugs frequently damage young foliage and emerging flower spikes.

Companion Plants

Marigolds and sweet alyssum are the most practical companions here. French marigold varieties like 'Lemon Drop' release thiophenes from their roots, which deter soil nematodes, and their scent disrupts aphid host-finding — aphids are a persistent problem on delphinium new growth. Sweet alyssum draws in Braconid wasps and hoverflies that actively predate aphid colonies, and it stays low enough (6–8 inches) that it won't shade out a 3-to-5-foot spike. Catmint along the border edge shares the same well-drained soil preference that keeps delphinium crowns from rotting, and it pulls in predatory insects through most of the season.

Skip any planting within 50 feet of black walnut — juglone leaches through the soil from both roots and decomposing leaf litter and is directly toxic to delphiniums. Fennel is a subtler problem: its root exudates suppress neighboring plants, and it tends to seed aggressively enough that by year two it's crowding out whatever you planted near it.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and provides ground cover

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and flea beetles, drawing pests away

Catmint

Deters ants, aphids, and rodents while attracting pollinators

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes with aromatic oils

Chives

Repel aphids and Japanese beetles with strong sulfur compounds

Cosmos

Attract beneficial predatory insects and provide habitat for pest controllers

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs naturally

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Release juglone toxin that inhibits growth and causes wilting

Eucalyptus

Produces allelopathic compounds that suppress nearby plant growth

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathic root secretions

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Slugs, spider mites, aphids

Diseases

Powdery mildew, crown rot in poorly drained soil

Troubleshooting Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Ragged holes chewed in leaves and stems near soil level, damage worse after wet nights

Likely Causes

Slugs — they hide under mulch or debris during the day and feed at night
Crown rot (Phytophthora or Pythium spp.) starting at the base, which can look like chewing damage early on

What to Do

1.Set out shallow traps filled with cheap beer at dusk — slugs fall in and drown; check and empty every morning
2.Scatter iron phosphate bait (Sluggo) around the base; it's safe around pets and won't hurt beneficial insects
3.Pull mulch 2–3 inches back from the crown so the base stays drier and slugs have less cover

White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, usually appearing mid-summer when nights cool down

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — spreads via airborne spores, gets worse with poor airflow and crowded spacing

What to Do

1.Space plants at least 18 inches apart to improve airflow — crowding at 12 inches is fine early but mildew risk climbs fast in humid stretches
2.Spray affected foliage with a diluted baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) or a potassium bicarbonate product at first sign
3.After bloom, cut stalks back to basal foliage — this removes the worst-infected tissue and often triggers a cleaner flush of new leaves

Leaves stippled with tiny yellow or bronze dots, fine webbing visible on undersides in dry weather

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — populations explode in hot, dry conditions above 85°F

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves hard with water from a hose — do this 3 days in a row to knock mites off and disrupt egg cycles
2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to leaf undersides in the evening; repeat every 5–7 days until populations drop
3.Keep soil consistently moist during heat — drought-stressed delphiniums are far more susceptible to mite damage

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall does Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom delphinium grow?▼

Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom is a dwarf Pacific delphinium reaching 18-24 inches in height at maturity. This compact stature is the defining characteristic of the Magic Fountains series—it provides full, dramatic flower spikes without requiring the tall staking demands of standard delphiniums. Height varies slightly based on soil nutrition, moisture, and light; plants receiving optimal conditions may reach the upper end of this range.

Can you grow Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom in containers?▼

Yes, Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom is well-suited to container growing thanks to its compact 18-24 inch height. Use a 12-inch diameter pot minimum with well-draining potting mix. Place in full sun (6+ hours) and keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Containers dry faster than garden beds, so check soil daily during heat. Light staking may be needed in containers if stems seem top-heavy. Excellent choice for patios, balconies, and small-space gardens.

When should I plant Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom seeds?▼

For spring blooms, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost. Alternatively, direct sow seeds in the garden after frost danger passes—they'll germinate in 7-10 days in 60-65°F soil. Direct-sown plants typically flower slightly later than transplants. In mild climates (Zones 8+), fall sowing produces earlier spring blooms. Seeds require light to germinate, so sow on the soil surface and press gently rather than covering.

How long does Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom take to bloom from seed?▼

Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom flowers in 105-125 days from sowing. Indoor-started seeds sown 6-8 weeks before last frost typically bloom in late spring to early summer. The exact timing depends on growing conditions (light, temperature, and nutrition), with optimal conditions accelerating flowering toward the earlier end of the range.

Is Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom good for beginners?▼

Yes, this variety is excellent for beginning gardeners. It's easy to grow from seed, tolerates wind and imperfect conditions better than tall delphiniums, and requires minimal maintenance once established. The main care points are full sun, consistent moisture, and good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. Deadheading spent flowers prolongs blooming but isn't essential for plant survival.

What's the difference between Magic Fountains and other delphinium varieties?▼

Magic Fountains Cherry Blossom differs from traditional tall delphiniums (which reach 3-6 feet) through its compact 18-24 inch stature and wind-resistant sturdy stems. Unlike tall varieties that often require heavy staking or collapse in wind, Magic Fountains' bred-in compactness and tight internodes provide natural support. The full florets and dense spike structure maintain visual impact despite reduced height, making it ideal for smaller gardens and exposed locations.