Do not allow the name deter you, since if your garden requires a poke in the perfect direction, Red-Hot Poker (Kniphofia spp.) May be a plant to check into. A plant with bold blossoms and foliage, Kniphofia can be seen in profuse bloom throughout the summer in temperate landscapes everywhere.
This glowing orange and yellow underused African American has seen a resurgence in cultivation recently. New hybrids and cultivars mean a fireworks display of colors and sizes that this summer and into fall.
Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture
Botanical name: Kniphofia spp.
Common names: Red-Hot Poker, Torch Lily, Poker Plant
USDA zones: 5 to 10, based on species (find your zone)
Water requirement: Moderate
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: 11/2 to 6 ft tall, clumping
Benefits and tolerances: Drought and heat tolerant; blossoms attract hummingbirds; deer immune
Seasonal interest: Summer flowering
When to plant: Spring or fall
Terra Nova® Nurseries, Inc
Distinguishing attributes. Grasslike clumps of long, narrow foliage produce stems topped with vibrant clustered blossoms in summer. The colors and density of the flowers give them an almost glowing appearance and quite accurately portray the common names. With colors ranging from orange to yellow, coral to red, and even green to near white, colour choices are expansive. Heights range from 11/2 to 6 ft tall, depending upon variety. Most species of Kniphofia are evergreen, but a few marginally deciduous varieties will resprout in summer after laying dormant over winter.
Revealed here: Kniphofia ‘Ember Glow’, zones 6 to 9
Ana Williamson Architect
How to use it. While Kniphofia lends itself naturally to tropical and subtropical gardens, it creates a great addition to any spot in need of color and clean texture. Lining an entry route in the backyard shown here, a huge clump of poker blossoms projects up and creates a great textural and vibrant contrast to surrounding plants. Mixed in a planter with high-textured plants and blossoms, Kniphofia picks up warm-hued accents and creates a dynamic planting profile.
Terra Nova® Nurseries, Inc
Because of its rhizomous origin system, Kniphofia is not recommended for containers or pots. Cut flowers, nevertheless, make for beautiful and exotic structures, and cutting encourages new flowering shoots.
Revealed here: Kniphofia ‘Orange Vanilla Popsicle’, zones 6 to 9
Debora carl landscape design
Planting notes. For optimum growth, plant Kniphofia within an open, sunny spot in the backyard in rich and well-drained land. While the plant is drought tolerant for the most part, it favors regular water and fertilizer during the rise and flowering weeks.
Some species will withstand frost but may die to the ground. Not to worry; the plant will resprout in early summer. After the plant has finished flowering, leave spent blossoms and leaves on the plant until late winter or early spring. You can then deadhead to get ready for new growth. And while this plant can be propagated through seed or branch, wait till it’s developed for a few years before you disturb it.
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