PerennialsDiscover the right perennial plants for your garden.
Pyromania ® ' Rocket ’s Red Glare ' red hot poker . Photo by : Proven Winners .
For play and tropic flair , few plant life can touch the Junoesque flower spikes ofKniphofia . This rhizomatous perennial is commonly lie with as tritoma , reddish hot fire hook plant , or torch lily , though it is not a true lily . The alien - attend efflorescence , which resemble glowing pokers or tiki torch , occur during summertime and fall in flavour of red , orange , yellow , chartreuse , and blanched .
aboriginal to South Africa , there are 70 species , though most garden diversity are hybrids . Kniphofiais tolerant of warmth and drought , is low maintenance and resistant to most pests and diseases . Here ’s how to originate red live fire hook plants and expend them in your landscape .
On this page : Basics|Planting|Care|Varieties|FAQ’s|Design Tips
KNIPHOFIA BASICS
Botanical name:
Kniphofia uvariaother spp . and hybrids
Plant type:
Rhizomatous perennial ; can be grown from semen , but is most unremarkably grown from potted transplantation or tuberous stem .
Zones:
5 - 9
Exposure:
Full Sunday
Habit:
Upright clopping habit
Height/Spread:
2 to 6 feet tall , 1 to 3 foot wide , look on variety
Bloom Time:
former summertime to fall , depending on miscellany
Flowers:
Vertical bottle copse blooms consist of impenetrable cluster of minor tube-shaped flowers that open from the bottom to the top . Blooms occur on tall slender stems in hue of red , orangish , peach , precious coral , apricot , lily-livered , yellow green , or ointment , some with bicolor or multicolors .
Foliage:
narrow-minded stiff light-green foliage has a grass - like appearance , forming a dense evergreen plant or semi - evergreen clump .
Are red hot pokers poisonous?
Kniphofiais in the main involve as non - toxic to darling and tiddler , though ingesting any non - eatable plant can cause digestive disturbance .
Are red hot pokers deer resistant?
Kniphofiais considered cervid resistant , though damage can occur on almost any plant if other food sources are scarce .
Other attributes:
Kniphofiais tolerant of salt , making it a dear choice for coastal garden . The blossom are highly attractive to hummingbirds , butterfly , and other louse pollinators .
HOW TO PLANT RED HOT POKERS
Photo by : Gardens by Design / Shutterstock .
When to plant:
Plant in fountain when all danger of frost is past .
Where to plant:
Red blistering pokers grow well in a wind - protect site with fat , well - drained soil that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of lineal Sunday per day .
How to plant:
Loosen soil in planting sphere and lightly amend with compost or other constitutive matter . If plants are heap - bound , softly tease out the radical . Dig a hole more or less larger than the solution glob and shoes in the planting hole so the top of the root ball is level with the fence grime . occupy in the gob with soil , tamp down gently to remove line sac , and water thoroughly . weewee plant on a regular basis until set up .
Soil:
Kniphofiais tolerant of a range of soil as long as there is good drainage . flora do best in fairly ample soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5 . remediate the existing stain with compost or other robust constitutional matter before implant . Poorly draining soil can make root or crown rot . For container , use a high-pitched quality all - purpose potting mix .
RED HOT POKER CARE
Water:
flushed hot fire hook plants perform best with restrained watering . plant are drouth tolerant once established . Avoid overwatering to keep pennant or root rot . Container industrial plant will need more frequent watering , particularly during blistering spells .
Amendments and fertilizer:
plant need little to no supplemental plant food as long as land is better well . If want , prey with an all - function slow - acquittance plant food in spring to raise more plant vigor and flowering .
Pruning and deadheading:
Foliage is prone to wintertime damage , particularly in colder climates . Cut back old foliage in spring before new growth emerge . Remove spent flower transfix down to the base throughout the uprise time of year to upgrade Modern blooming .
Dividing:
Plants benefit from dividing every few years to prevent overcrowding , which can result in fewer blooms . In other spring , dig up the entire clump . Use a spade or sharp tongue to slice through the origin ball , making several divisions . Replant divided rootstock , lay down sure there is visible growth . Do n’t plant the top of the rhizome more than 3 inches below dirt level . In warm regions , flora can also be divided in fall after blossoming .
Overwintering:
In USDA zone 5 - 6 , plant will want winter protection . Add a layer of mulch such as straw or entrust over the crown of the works in fall to protect from freeze temperatures . The foliage can be gather and tied together above the tip to assist prevent water from seep into the crown .
Pests and diseases:
When given the right growing conditions , Kniphofiais well-nigh free from pests and diseases . Pests can includethrips , slugs or snails . Diseases , which are in the first place due to pixilated atmospheric condition or misfortunate drainage , include root or crown guff .
RED HOT POKER VARIETIES
pic by : Proven Winners .
PYROMANIA ® ' ORANGE BLAZE'—Buy now from Proven WinnersKniphofiahybrid
Zones:5 - 9Height / Spread:36 to 42 inches grandiloquent , 24 to 30 inches all-inclusive
‘ Orange Blaze ' is a vigorous variety show bring about bright orangish flowers throughout the summer months . The medium - sized growth habit is suitable for mixed borders , beds , and mass plantings .
PYROMANIA ® ' SOLAR FLARE'—Buy now from Proven WinnersKniphofiahybrid
shining yellow flowers hold their color throughout the growing season . Combine with red or orange flowers for sizzling color , or color of blue and purple for completing dividing line . The medium size is suited for mixed delimitation , mass plantings , and rock garden .
PYROMANIA ® ' HOT AND COLD'—Buy now from Proven WinnersKniphofiahybrid
Zones:5 - 9Height / Spread:30 to 36 inch tall , 24 to 30 inches wide
This smorgasbord is refer for the flowers with tangerine orange tips and cool snowy bottoms for a hot and cold effect . Plants flower earlier in the season than other multifariousness , with rebloom throughout the summertime . Plant this medium - sized smorgasbord in a tropic - themed border or mass in the landscape painting .
PYROMANIA ® ' FLASHPOINT'—Buy now from Proven WinnersKniphofiahybrid
Zones:5 - 9Height / Spread:48 to 54 in tall , 30 to 36 inches wide
Flowers are yellow green - yellowness at the tips , graduate to golden yellow , then creamy white at the bottom for a multi - colored force . Use this marvellous variety to create vertical involvement in a mixed perimeter , or as a striking focal point in the landscape .
Photo by : Proven Winners
PYROMANIA ® ' ROCKET ‘S RED GLARE’Kniphofiahybrid
Zones:6 - 9Height / Spread:30 to 36 inches tall , 18 to 24 inch wide
Rich red flower buds capable to great cream for a striking two - strengthen consequence in the landscape . Plant this medium - sized variety in a container , rock garden , or mass in a bottom or moulding .
PYROMANIA ® ' BACKDRAFT’Kniphofiahybrid
Zones:5 - 9Height / Spread:24 to 30 inches magniloquent and broad
The sporty peak of ‘ Backdraft ’ produce bright orangish - red buds that open to peachy yellow for a graduated effect . Plants rebloom for late time of year colour in the landscape . Use this medium - sized variety for mixed border , curbside planting , and containers .
pic by : Alex Manders / Shutterstock .
' MANGO POPSICLE’Kniphofiahybrid
Zones:6 - 9Height / Spread:18 to 30 inches improbable , 12 to 18 in wide
Part of the ‘ Popsicle ’ series , the iridescent mango - Orange River flower behave as a bright beacon in the landscape . This award victor bloom prolifically on sturdy stems , with grassy foliage that stays neat all summertime . Use this dwarf multifariousness in a motley boundary line , the great unwashed plantings , or containers .
Photo by : Tom Carnes / Shutterstock .
' FLAMENCO’Kniphofiahybrid
Zones:5 - 9Height / Spread:24 to 36 inches improbable , 18 to 24 inches wide
This improved variety blooms in its first year in mixed tones of orangeness and yellow-bellied . Plant alongside complemental downcast - bloom plants such as Nepeta cataria or Russian sage to create contrast in the landscape painting . Mass in a boundary line or cut peak garden .
picture by : Walters Gardens , Inc.
' LADY LUCK’Kniphofiahybrid
Zones:6 - 9Height / Spread:5 to 6 feet improbable , 3 to 4 feet wide
Junoesque flower spikes occur in cooler tones of chartreuse , pallid yellowed , and creamy white for an eye - catching multi - colored outcome . partner off with blue or violet flowers for complementary demarcation . Use this improbable variety as a focal point in the landscape painting or towards the back of a assorted border . Protect the flush spikes from potent winds to keep tumble .
' TAWNY KING’Kniphofiahybrid
Zones:6 - 9Height / Spread:3 to 5 feet marvelous , 2 to 3 feet wide
Tawny yellowish pink bloom lighten to lick as they senesce for a two - tone effect . The flowers are bear on dark burgundy stems for striking contrast . Combine this taller miscellanea with pinkish , purple , or blue - flower plant such as lavender , catmint , and coneflower .
' NANCY ‘S RED’Kniphofiahybrid
Zones:6 - 9Height / Spread:18 to 24 inch grandiloquent and broad
Bright coral - red flowers light up the landscape with long lasting heyday that occur in succession throughout the summertime months . employ this nanus diverseness for smaller spaces , container , as a focal distributor point , or in aggregate planting .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does kniphofia come back every year?
Kniphofia is a perennial in USDA zone 5 - 9 , though flora in zones 5 - 6 will need wintertime security .
Does kniphofia spread?
Plants modernise robust clumps that can be divided every few age .
Are red hot pokers invasive?
Red live poker may be invasive in office of California and Oregon .
How do you keep red hot pokers blooming?
Provide rich soil and deadhead spent flower spike to advance fresh blooms .
Where is the best place to plant red hot pokers?
institute red hot poker game in a sheltered sunny site with rich well - drained ground .
LANDSCAPING WITH KNIPHOFIA
For borders and landscapes : apply in beds and borders , curbside plantings and waterwise landscape painting .
For side and hillside : Mass along a slope or hillside to help stem erosion .
For containers : have a smaller assortment as a stand - alone specimen in a container .
There are many ways to utilise red spicy stove poker plants in your landscape . Here ’s how :
KNIPHOFIA COMPANION PLANTS:
Combine with other plants with summer interest such as garden balm ( Monarda ) , ignominious - eyed Susan ( Rudbeckia ) , bluebeard ( Caryopteris ) , catnip ( Nepeta ) , coneflower ( Echinacea ) , dahlias , daylily , lavender , ornamental dope , Russian sage ( Perovskia ) , salvia , Shasta daisies , sneezeweed ( Helenium ) and yarrow .
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