Overview
Kniphofia 'Little Maid' is a clump-forming, upright perennial in the genus Kniphofia, part of the Asphodelaceae family, with evergreen or deciduous; narrow, arching, strap-shaped or grassy foliage. Kniphofia 'Little Maid' grows best in full sun, and tolerates fertile sandy or loamy soil soils and neutral to slightly acid pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4–H6. Suggested uses include borders, rock gardens, containers and and as a striking accent plant in perennial beds..
About
Kniphofia 'Little Maid' is a perennial red-hot poker that forms upright, clump-forming growth and flowers from June to September. It produces narrow, arching, strap-shaped or grassy leaves that may be evergreen or deciduous. Best grown in full sun on fertile sandy or loamy soil with a neutral to slightly acid pH. Position on a south or west-facing site where soil remains moist in summer but drains freely in winter.
About the genus
Kniphofia is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Asphodelaceae, first described as a genus in 1794. All species of Kniphofia are native to Africa. Common names include tritoma, red hot poker, torch lily and poker plant.
Wikipedia contributors, "Kniphofia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Kniphofia
In the garden
A cultivar within the Kniphofia group (family Asphodelaceae), Kniphofia 'Little Maid' presents as an upright, clump-forming perennial that flowers from June to September. As a Kniphofia cultivar it shares the genus' strap-like foliage habit; leaves can be evergreen or die back, depending on site and winter severity. Plant in a sunny, south- or west-facing spot on fertile, sandy or loamy soil with a neutral to slightly acid pH. Keep soil reasonably moisture-retentive through the summer months but avoid waterlogging in winter by ensuring free drainage; mulching lightly in spring can help conserve summer moisture without impeding winter drying. Exposure can be either sheltered or exposed, but give crowns good air circulation to reduce winter wetness against the base. Kniphofia 'Little Maid' is rated H4–H6 in the UK (average to very hardy) and corresponds broadly to USDA zones 5–9, so it will survive winter outdoors across much of Britain where soils are free-draining. Use it as a vertical accent in mixed borders, in rock garden pockets or in containers on a sunny patio; plant where the flowering period will sit above lower-growing perennials. Flower spikes appear above the foliage from June to September.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Kniphofia
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Fertile sandy or loamy soil
- Soil pH
- Neutral to slightly acid
- Soil moisture
- Moisture-retentive in summer, well drained in winter
- Aspect
- South or west facing
- Exposure
- Exposed or sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4–H6
Plant details
Kniphofia 'Little Maid' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Habit
- Clump-forming, upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen or deciduous; narrow, arching, strap-shaped or grassy
- Suggested uses
- Borders, rock gardens, containers, and as a striking accent plant in perennial beds.
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Kniphofia 'Little Maid'
- Cultivation
- What most red hot pokers want is summer moisture combined with winter dryness. Plant on a free-draining site, water generously while the spikes are forming, then protect the crowns of less hardy kinds with a dry mulch or by tying the leaves up over the centre in autumn.
- Pruning
- Remove faded spikes at the base. Cut deciduous foliage down in late autumn; on evergreens pull away dead leaves by hand rather than shearing the whole clump.
- Propagation
- Divide established clumps in late spring — autumn division risks rotting. Species germinate readily from seed but take two to three years to flower.
- Pest resistance
- Usually undemanding, but aphids, thrips, slugs and snails can all take advantage of the crown and new growth.
- Disease resistance
- Healthy in suitable conditions. Crown and root rot follow winter waterlogging.
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Kniphofia 'Little Maid'?
What most red hot pokers want is summer moisture combined with winter dryness. Plant on a free-draining site, water generously while the spikes are forming, then protect the crowns of less hardy kinds with a dry mulch or by tying the leaves up over the centre in autumn.
Where is the best place to plant Kniphofia 'Little Maid'?
Kniphofia 'Little Maid' prefers full sun. It suits exposed or sheltered positions.
What soil does Kniphofia 'Little Maid' need?
Kniphofia 'Little Maid' grows best in fertile sandy or loamy soil soil. It prefers neutral to slightly acid soil. Aim for soil that stays moisture-retentive in summer to well drained in winter.
How do I prune Kniphofia 'Little Maid'?
Remove faded spikes at the base. Cut deciduous foliage down in late autumn; on evergreens pull away dead leaves by hand rather than shearing the whole clump.
Is Kniphofia 'Little Maid' hardy in the UK?
Kniphofia 'Little Maid' has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Kniphofia 'Little Maid'?
Divide established clumps in late spring — autumn division risks rotting. Species germinate readily from seed but take two to three years to flower.
More in the Kniphofia genus
- Kniphofia 'Royal Standard'red-hot poker 'Royal Standard'
- Kniphofia gracilisRed Hot Poker
- Kniphofia rufaRed Hot Poker
- Kniphofia triangularisdwarf red-hot poker
- Kniphofia tuckii of gardensRed Hot Poker
- Kniphofia 'Ada'red-hot poker 'Ada'
- Kniphofia 'Erecta'red-hot poker 'Erecta'
- Kniphofia 'Goldelse'red-hot poker 'Goldelse'