Blackmore & Langdon is a globally recognized horticultural firm known for cultivating exceptional plants. With a long-standing reputation for excellence, this specialist grower sets high standards in horticulture. They are a premier source for specific, high-quality plant varieties.
The Enduring Legacy of Blackmore & Langdon
Blackmore & Langdon was established in 1901, a partnership formed when James Blackmore and Charles Langdon, both begonia exhibitors, met at a Bath Flower Show in the 1890s. James Blackmore financed land acquisition in Bath, formalizing their business. The company has since remained a family-run enterprise, with knowledge of growing, breeding, and propagation passed down through four generations of the Langdon family.
Blackmore & Langdon earned its first Royal Horticultural Society Gold Medal in 1903 at the London Temple Show, a precursor to the Chelsea Flower Show. The firm has maintained an unbroken exhibition record at every Chelsea Flower Show since its inauguration in 1913, accumulating over 80 Gold Medals. This consistent success highlights their influence and reputation for quality and innovation in plant breeding.
Their Signature Collections: Begonias and Delphiniums
Blackmore & Langdon specializes in Tuberous Begonias and Delphiniums. Their Begonias are renowned for substantial, well-formed blooms, vibrant colors, and impressive size, with some varieties reaching eight inches in diameter. The firm’s breeding program has even yielded a fragrant begonia, a delicate coral pink variety with a rose-like scent.
Their Delphiniums, primarily of the ‘elatum’ strain, are equally distinctive, characterized by tall, majestic spires and vivid blooms. These hardy perennials contribute significant height and striking color to garden landscapes, often reaching five to six feet, with some growing to eight feet. Their vigorous plants feature strong, graceful flower spikes. Cultivars like ‘Moonbeam’, with its pristine white spires, exemplify the quality and aesthetic appeal of their collection.
Acquiring and Engaging with Blackmore & Langdon
Plants from Blackmore & Langdon can be acquired in several ways. The company offers direct sales through its website, where customers can select dormant begonia tubers, young delphinium plants, and seeds. Orders for begonia tubers are dispatched from January to late March, while young delphinium plants are sent from April to June, or later in the autumn.
The nursery is located at Stanton Nursery, Pensford, Bristol, BS39 4JL, in the UK. While specific public visiting hours are not broadly advertised, the nursery’s presence at major horticultural shows, such as the Chelsea Flower Show, provides an opportunity to see their award-winning displays and make purchases. International shipping for begonia tubers is available, though it requires a phytosanitary certificate and is subject to specific import regulations, such as those for the USA.
Cultivating Your Blackmore & Langdon Plants
Cultivating Blackmore & Langdon’s Tuberous Begonias and Delphiniums involves specific care. Tuberous Begonias thrive in evenly moist, well-drained soil and prefer bright, indirect light, as direct strong sunlight can scorch their tender leaves. Tubers can be started indoors in late winter or early spring in a warm, protected area, ideally at a constant temperature around 18°C (65°F), to encourage growth and prevent rot. During the growing season, feeding them every other week with a balanced fertilizer, such as Vitax 111, supports robust blooms.
For overwintering, as autumn progresses, water should be gradually reduced, allowing plants to go dormant. Once foliage yellows and dies back, tubers should be lifted, cleaned, and stored in a frost-free environment, such as a cool, dry place between 45°F and 50°F (7°C-10°C), often in peat moss or sand.
Delphiniums require full sun for six to eight hours daily, rich, well-drained soil with a neutral pH, and protection from strong winds. Consistent watering is important, but preventing waterlogging avoids crown rot. Due to their tall flower spikes, staking is essential to prevent damage from wind or heavy rain. Protection from slugs is particularly important for delphiniums, especially during dormant periods.