About
A herbaceous perennial up to 90cm high with dark green leaves and dark red-tinged flower stems in late summer and early autumn with flowers which progressively darken further up the stem so that the flowers at the base open creamy yellow, those in the middle open rich apricot yellow, and the topmost flowers open dark orange; it may have two flushes of flowers, and the flowers are good for pollinating insects.
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 typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, Prairie planting, Coastal, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants
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; propagation for resale is illegal without a licence from the breeder
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, thrips, slugs and snails
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free