About
Compact, clump-forming perennial to 60cm tall with basal rosettes of hairy, arching, narrow leaves to 60cm long and 2.5cm wide. Dense conical flower spikes borne on stout stems in summer bear tubular flowers opening orange to salmon-pink and aging to greenish-yellow.
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, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden
Native toSouth Africa (E Cape), Lesotho
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