Red Hot Poker
Once you see a clump of Red Hot Poker, Kniphofia uvaria, you likely won’t soon forget it.
This early summer perennial sends its flower stems straight up from thick crowns of sword-shaped leaves. The clusters of flowers are quite dense at the top of the stems and begin to bloom from the bottom of the spike and work their way upwards. The flowers are usually orange, but fade as they bloom and mature, so you have the appearance of two-colored spikes: orange at the top and yellow below.
Because there are so many flowers on a spike the bloom time seems extended. Usually Kniphofia blooms from June into July.
A good friend of mine started the three red hot poker I have in my garden from seed a couple of years ago. They were easy to plant when they were small and in a matter of three years they transformed into a large clump with some 15 flower stalks.
I’m not the only one who finds them attractive. So do bees and hummingbirds that hover below and dip their beaks up into the tubular flowers above their heads.
Named after German professor J.J. Kniphof, Kniphofia is a member of the Lily family and comes from South Africa. Red hot poker — also commonly called Torch Lily — is hardy to USDA Zone 5. It ranges in height from 2 to 6 feet depending on the cultivar. The plant’s evergreen foliage is typically gray-green.
Red hot poker is easy to grow and doesn’t have many pests. It does well in average soil, and will do even better in rich soil, but it likes good drainage. It is drought resistant and likes sun, so if you have a spot in sun or partial shade, this plant may be for you.
A number of hybrids offer gardeners some flower color options: K. ‘Alcazar’ grows 3-4 feet tall with bright red flowers; ‘Little Maid’ grows 18 inches to 2 feet tall with yellow flowers that fade to cream. And there are others with rose- and coral-colored blooms.
Once the flowers are done you can do one of two things: cut the flower stalks off from the base or leave them alone to let the seed mature to feed finches, chickadees and other seed eaters.
Some gardeners recommend cutting the foliage back half way to rejuvenate it when it starts to look ratty. I haven’t had to do that.
What I may need to do is divide my clump next spring. It seems to enjoy where I planted it. But for now, I’m enjoying the unique architecture of Kniphofia and watching the hummingbirds it lures to my garden.
Susan Brimo-Cox gardens, observes nature and writes in Ohiopyle, Pa. Readers can send questions or comments to her at naturesgarden@brimo-cox.com.