Overview
Delphinium 'Red Rocket' is a columnar upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Delphinium, part of the Ranunculaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Delphinium 'Red Rocket' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden and wildlife gardens.
About
Delphinium 'Red Rocket' is a herbaceous perennial cultivar within the Delphinium genus, known for its columnar upright habit and deciduous foliage. As a member of the Ranunculaceae family, Delphiniums typically feature palmately lobed basal leaves and prominent bowl-shaped flowers arranged in spikes. 'Red Rocket' thrives in full sun with a sheltered aspect, favouring fertile, well-drained soils of various types including chalk, clay, loam, and sand, across a range of pH levels. It is hardy to UK zone H5 and is suitable for cottage, informal, and wildlife gardens, offering interest during spring and summer.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Delphinium
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Delphinium 'Red Rocket' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Delphinium 'Red Rocket'
- Propagation
- Propagate by taking pencil thick basal cuttings in early spring or propagate by seed in spring or autumn (cultivars will not come true)
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, earwigs, delphinium leaf miner, delphinium moth caterpillars, slugs, snails and caterpillars
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews, delphinium black blotch, crown rot and viruses
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Delphinium 'Red Rocket'?
Delphinium 'Red Rocket' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Delphinium 'Red Rocket' need?
Delphinium 'Red Rocket' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Delphinium 'Red Rocket' hardy in the UK?
Delphinium 'Red Rocket' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Delphinium 'Red Rocket'?
Propagate by taking pencil thick basal cuttings in early spring or propagate by seed in spring or autumn (cultivars will not come true).
More in the Delphinium genus
- Delphinium 'Blue Bell'
- Delphinium 'Ailsa'
- Delphinium 'Alison Claire'
- Delphinium 'Ambrose Woods'
- Delphinium 'Angela Rowe'
- Delphinium 'Ann Woodfield'
- Delphinium 'Anne Page'
- Delphinium 'Ariel Blue'