About
Large, clump-forming perennial, rare in cultivation, with dark green leaves 1-1.2m long, and bearing tall flower stems that may reach 2m in height, the cylindrical flowers closely arranged with rusty-orange buds opening to cream-yellow, flowering in late summer and autumn.
About the genus
Kniphofia may be evergreen or herbaceous perennials, with linear or strap-shaped leaves and erect stems bearing a dense raceme of tubular, usually pendent flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants
Native toSouth Africa (Cape)
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun and fertile, moist but well-drained soil that isn’t too wet over winter. See kniphofia cultivation for further advice
PruningCut down old flower stems after flowering; old or dead leaves can be tidied up or removed in mid-spring
PropagationPropagate by division of established clumps in late spring or by taking offshoots from the crown
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, thrips, slugs and snails
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free