'I planted the UK's largest Delphinium garden in my wife's memory'

Leeds gardener Colin Parton is affectionately known as Delphinium Dad

Tucked away in a quiet Leeds village is a garden containing thousands of Delphiniums that is thought to be the largest collection of the species in the UK.

Known for their tall spikes and dazzling colours, these flowers - a favourite of King Charles himself - have become more than just a display.

Having devoted nearly five decades to growing them, Colin Parton, 70, has carefully expanded his collection to include more than 100 cultivars, preserving many types that are now on the verge of disappearing.

This Sunday and next, he opens the gates of Delph Cottage Garden in Methley for two special open days, offering a rare glimpse into his life's work which has earned him the nickname "Delphinium Dad" from his three children.

Mr Parton's love affair with Delphiniums began in his teens, after seeing them during a visit to the Harrogate Flower Show.

"They looked fantastic and I thought 'oh, I'd like to have a go at growing some of them'," he recalls.

Mr Parton's favourite, Delphinium 'Conspicuous', the first that caught his eye in his teens

When he met his wife Julie, the couple dreamed of creating a bespoke garden in their retirement, filled with the towering flowers they both adored.

When she passed away in 2014, Mr Parton, who worked for Leeds City Council's parks department, says he decided to bring their shared vision to life.

"I woke up one morning and thought 'oh, I'm going to make a Delphinium garden' - just as you do," he says.

Colin Parton and his late wife Julie, who also loved Delphiniums

Mr Parton carved out six flower beds and began adding to the 15 cultivars he was already growing.

Since then, he has watched with concern as more and more cultivars disappear from nursery shelves and plant borders, frequently asking other gardeners to get in touch with rare varieties.

"I think trends change," he says.

"People probably don't grow them like they used to."

Colin Parton will host an open day for two Sundays in June

The plants, which flower from June throughout the summer, are hardy in the cold but struggle in wet conditions.

Among the challenges Mr Parton faces growing Delphiniums are dry weather stunting their growth, pests such as slugs and mildew but also the occasional pheasant eating young shoots and taking dust baths in the flowerbeds.

"Every year is different," he says.

"I mean some years I've had them over eight foot tall. They're at a nice height this year."

Colin Parton with his partner Alison Wiper who supports his gardening endeavours

Mr Parton currently tends to nearly 1,000 plants. Some, such as 'Conspicuous', 'Blue Tit' and 'Michael Ayres', date back to his early beginnings.

"It gives me a lot of pleasure," he says.

"I think it keeps the old grey cells going as I get older."

Last year, he was awarded National Plant Collection status by horticultural conservation charity Plant Heritage, a milestone that reflected his own dedication to preserving the plants.

Delphinium 'Bambi' is listed on Plant Heritage's Threatened Plants Programme

Of his 106 cultivars, 21 are on the endangered list of Plant Heritage's Threatened Plants Programme, including Delphinium elatum 'Bambi', 'Boudicca' and 'Taj Mahal'.

He hopes one day, someone will take on his extensive collection, adding: "I'm on a mission to try and inspire people to grow Delphiniums.

"Unless people are growing these in their own gardens, I think they'll disappear."

It is not unusual for his garden to attract attention from curious passers-by, who can see the striking sea of floral spires from a distance.

One day, even celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh could not resist knocking on his door and having a look around.

The TV presenter was filming at another site nearby, and spotted Mr Parton's garden "from afar".

Colin Parton has been growing Delphiniums for over 50 years

With interest in his work growing, Mr Parton came up with the idea to host an annual open day in exchange for donations to cancer charities. Both his late wife and father suffered from cancer.

He says: "I think we've had probably 500 people through, which, you know, for somebody's back garden, I think is pretty good."

Despite decades of looking after the plants, he still cannot put his finger on what it is that fascinates him.

"I've always been interested in Delphiniums and people ask me why," he says.

"I tell them I don't know, I still don't know to this day."

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