Visit the UK’s only delphinium festival from June 13 to 28

This summer delphiniums are particularly in the spotlight after His Majesty the King included these majestic plants in The RHS and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower show.

Godinton House & Gardens Delphinium Festival runs from June 13 to 28 and marketing manager Pippa Batt says ‘while not everyone could get to RHS Chelsea our two-week Delphinium Festival offers a long window of opportunity to see these spectacular plants’.

She added: “The King is Patron of the Delphinium Society and his favourite colourful spires really do stand out in borders because they have such height and rich colours – vivid blues and lavenders to dusky pinks, creams and white.”

Beds of delphiniums grace the Walled Garden and this year’s display is already looking exceptional, with new borders and 80 plants added in 2023 to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King now firmly bedded in. These younger delphinium plants have begun to flourish against the eastern wall, opposite the existing collection.

Head Gardener Lee Woodcock added: “Despite a challenging, wet winter that required some careful replanting, the collection is looking spectacular this year.

“The fresh, smaller additions are settling in beautifully, but the true showstoppers of this year’s festival are undoubtedly the deep, dark blue ‘After Midnight’, the striking pink ‘Rosemary Brock’, the serene sky blue ‘Cupid’, the rich mid-blue ‘Fenella’, and the pristine white ‘Snowdon’.”

Visitors who need advice on growing delphiniums can visit the Delphinium Society stand in the Walled Garden where members share their expert knowledge and sell plants.

The Delphinium Festival includes a National Gardens Scheme open day on June 19.

In addition, guided tours of Godinton House take place on Fridays or Saturdays between 1pm and 3.30pm. The unique 600-year-old property has a fascinating history and showcases an impressive collection of porcelain, furniture, art and curios.

The tearoom, in Godinton House’s former billiard room, is also open on Fridays and Saturdays.

Please book online for your visit to the house and gardens.