About

Aquilegia 'Red Hobbit' is a herbaceous perennial that typically reaches a height of about 35 cm and forms clumps over time. Its foliage consists of finely divided, vibrant green leaves. From late spring through mid-summer, the plant produces outward- to upward-facing flowers featuring elongated, curved red spurs. The blossoms have red outer petals and white inner petals, creating a distinctive appearance.

About the genus

Aquilegia consists of herbaceous perennials that grow in clumps, characterized by their long-stemmed, three-parted basal leaves. The upright, leafy stems support bell-shaped blooms featuring wide-spreading sepals and petals that possess spurs, all arranged on branched stalks.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full shade, Partial shade
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Clump forming
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. See aquilegia cultivation. Good in containers
Pruning
To encourage more flowers (and prevent self-seeding) deadhead regularly. Cut back foliage after flowering to promote fresh growth in late summer
Propagation
Propagate by seed; home-saved seed may not come true. Established plants can also be propagated by division in spring, but they dislike root disturbance and will be slow to recover
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, leaf miners, aquilegia gall midge and aquilegia sawfly
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to powdery mildews and aquilegia downy mildew