Kniphofia
Red hot poker
Also known as Tritoma (general)
- Height × spread
- 0.35m – 2m × 0.3m – 1.5m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally available in Spring & Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
The red hot pokers come in a great range of colours and sizes. The poker flowers are carried on stout stems and are in colours from cream to orange, red and even greenish tints. There are refined and hearty forms. The small varieties with quite thin leaves and slender pokers stand around 40cm in height. The heartier forms can be up to 1.5 metres in height. They flower for a few weeks, and some forms can be induced to perform again if the flowers are hard pruned. Among other forms the handsome Kniphofia caulescens has blue grey foliage and stout pokers, and flowers for a long period.
- Flower colour
- Brown, Cream, Gold, Green, Orange, Pink, Red, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell, Column, Cone, Cube
- Height
- 0.35m – 2m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 1.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Seaside garden, Mediterranean garden, Gravel garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Planting
Deadhead blooms during flowering season
Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.
The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.
Found in
More Kniphofia
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Kniphofia 'Mango Popsicle'
Red hot poker
Kniphofia 'Nancy's Red'
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Kniphofia 'Papaya Popsicle'
Red hot poker
Kniphofia 'Redhot Popsicle'
Red hot poker
Kniphofia 'Alcazar'
Red hot poker
Kniphofia 'Atlanta'
Red hot poker
Kniphofia 'Bees' Lemon'
Red hot poker