Magic Fountains Pure White
Delphinium elatum
Wikimedia Commons
Elegant, clean-white blooms with white centers (bees). Excellent for wedding design. 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.
Harvest
105-125d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
3–7
USDA hardiness
Height
3-5 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Magic Fountains Pure White in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 flower →Zone Map
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Magic Fountains Pure White · Zones 3–7
Growing Details
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
Elegant, clean-white blooms with white centers (bees). Excellent for wedding design. 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 Pure White 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 Pure White reaches harvest at 105 - 125 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds.
Edibility: Toxic if eaten.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh flowers should be placed in cool water in a cool room (65°F or lower) immediately after cutting. Change water every 2-3 days and re-cut stems at a 45-degree angle to maximize absorption. Properly stored Magic Fountains Pure White cut flowers last 7-10 days in a vase.
For longer-term preservation, air-dry the flower spikes by hanging them upside-down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks. Dried delphiniums retain their white color well and remain suitable for arrangements indefinitely. Alternatively, press individual florets between wax paper under heavy books for 1-2 weeks to create flat specimens for botanical crafts or pressed-flower art. For preservation in glycerin, stand fresh stems in a solution of 1 part glycerin to 2 parts water for 2-3 weeks—this creates longer-lasting, slightly pliable flowers with a subtle cream tone.
History & Origin
Magic Fountains Pure White 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
- +Stunning pure white blooms perfect for elegant wedding floral arrangements
- +Compact dwarf growth handles windy conditions without requiring staking support
- +Attracts pollinators while maintaining pristine white flowers for clean designs
- +Full florets on tight internodes create professional, densely-packed flower spikes
- +Perennial in zones 3-7 provides multi-year garden value
Considerations
- -Requires consistent moisture; susceptible to root rot in poorly-draining soil
- -Powdery mildew common in humid conditions despite hardy nature
- -Relatively short bloom window of 105-125 days limits extended flowering
Companion Plants
Catmint and lavender are the most practical neighbors here — both tolerate the same well-drained soil, and their aromatic foliage does some work against soft-bodied pests without competing at the same root depth as the delphiniums. Yarrow pulls in parasitic wasps and predatory beetles that knock back aphid populations, which do occasionally colonize delphinium stems in early summer. Sweet alyssum does similar work at ground level, drawing hoverflies whose larvae eat soft-bodied pests. Marigolds (Tagetes patula specifically) fill the front of a border while the delphiniums claim the back — useful structure, not just pest theory.
Black walnut is a hard no: juglone leaches from roots across a wide radius and is toxic to many perennials, delphiniums among them. Don't plant within reach of the canopy drip line, and root spread typically extends well beyond it. Fennel and eucalyptus cause problems through different chemistry — fennel is broadly allelopathic to most neighboring plants, and eucalyptus leaf litter and root exudates suppress establishment of young perennials nearby. Neither one is worth the trouble of working around.
Plant Together
Sweet Alyssum
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control aphids
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial predatory insects
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crops for aphids and flea beetles, drawing pests away from delphiniums
Catmint
Deters ants, aphids, and mice while attracting beneficial pollinators
Chives
Repel aphids and thrips with their sulfur compounds
Lavender
Repels slugs, moths, and mice while attracting beneficial bees and butterflies
Yarrow
Attracts ladybugs and lacewings that feed on aphids and other soft-bodied pests
Bee Balm
Attracts beneficial insects and may help improve overall garden ecosystem health
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to delphiniums and causes stunted growth or death
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of most flowering plants
Eucalyptus
Produces allelopathic chemicals that suppress growth of nearby plants
Pests & Disease Resistance
Diseases
Powdery mildew, crown rot (in poorly drained soil)
Troubleshooting Magic Fountains Pure White
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
White powdery coating on leaves and stems, usually appearing mid-summer after the first flush of blooms
Likely Causes
- Powdery mildew (Erysiphe aquilegiae) — thrives in warm days and cool nights with low air circulation
- Crowded planting at less than 18 inches that traps humidity around the foliage
What to Do
- 1.Cut the entire plant back to about 6 inches after bloom — this removes infected tissue and often triggers a cleaner second flush
- 2.Space plants at least 18-24 inches apart and avoid overhead watering; water at the base in the morning
- 3.Apply a diluted neem oil spray (2 tsp per quart of water) every 7-10 days at first sign if you want to slow spread rather than cut back
Plant collapses or wilts at the crown despite adequate watering; stem base looks brown and mushy at soil level
Likely Causes
- Crown rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii or Phytophthora spp. — both common in poorly drained or consistently wet soil
- Planting in a low spot where water pools after rain
What to Do
- 1.Pull the affected plant — there's no saving a mushy crown — and do not replant Delphinium in that same spot for at least 3 years
- 2.Amend the bed with coarse grit or perlite before replanting elsewhere; these plants want consistent moisture but not saturated roots
- 3.Raise the bed by 4-6 inches if drainage is a chronic problem in your garden
Tall flower spikes snapping or leaning over at 45°, usually on plants over 3 feet, after wind or heavy rain
Likely Causes
- Insufficient staking — Delphinium elatum stalks are hollow and top-heavy once flowers open
- Planting in an exposed site with no windbreak
What to Do
- 1.Insert bamboo stakes (one per stem, at least 4 feet tall) when plants hit 12 inches, and loosely tie stems every 12 inches as they grow — don't wait until they're already leaning
- 2.If a stem snaps cleanly, bring it inside as a cut flower; it'll hold in a vase for 5-7 days
- 3.Next season, site the plants near a fence, hedge, or taller shrubs that buffer wind without shading them
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Magic Fountains Pure White take to bloom from seed?▼
Is Magic Fountains Pure White a perennial or annual?▼
Can you grow Magic Fountains Pure White in containers?▼
What's the difference between Magic Fountains Pure White and other white delphiniums?▼
How do you prevent powdery mildew on Magic Fountains Pure White?▼
When should you plant Magic Fountains Pure White seeds?▼
Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
- BreederJohnny's Selected Seeds
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.