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This was just growing wild and as the date will show on the camera it was on 27th November in Gibralta


Red Hot Poker
Red Hot Poker is native to Madagascar and Africa. It is also called Kniphofia, Torch lily, and Poker plant.

The plant grows to a height of 36-60 inches and 2 feet in spread (60 cm).

Red Hot Poker is known for their bright, rocket-shaped flowers. The plants produce spikes of hanging, red-to-orange flowers which have flowering spikes of pale yellow, ivory, apricot, orange and red. All have long, sword-like basal leave. It flowers from the bottom upward, and the bright orange flowers fade to yellowish green as they senesce, resulting in a two toned spike with orange flowers at the top and yellowish ones below

Red Hot Poker blooms in mid summer. The Kniphofia needs a soil rich in organic matter, along with excellent drainage. In the colder areas of its range, mulch the roots in winter. It needs abundant moisture during its growing period. It needs full sun, well-drained humus-rich (preferably sandy) soil. Prune flower spikes after bloom; mulch their first winter. It needs regular water to ample water, and excellent drainage. To propagate remove young plants from clump edge in spring, seeds in spring It is helpful to tie foliage together in the fall, to prevent water entering the crown. Another option is to cut the foliage off at the base in late fall.

It is very useful as a perennial border, cut flowers, attractive to hummingbirds, provide a dramatic display, when grown in a space where the entire plant is visible. Make this planting space directly in front of an evergreen background, or as a 'stand alone' specimen, and it is sure to turn heads.

Did you know?

· The genus includes 70 or more species.

· Brought to England in 1707, they were kept as greenhouse treasures until 1848, when someone had the bright idea of planting them outdoors, and their abiding hardiness was discovered.

At work, our sunflowers are started in the greenhouse under different lighting treatments to simulate short days and long days.