Kniphofia uvaria - Red Hot Poker

Kniphofia uvaria, also known as red-hot poker, is an excellent plant for borders and a classic choice for sunny banks. It boasts a long flowering period in a beautiful gradient of scarlet-red and orange-yellow. It forms a lush clump of glossy, channelled leaves that remain attractive throughout the season. From spring to the end of summer, it displays dense spike-like inflorescences of small pendulous flowers, attracting butterflies and bees. It is a robust and cheerful perennial, very hardy and drought-resistant. Plant it in full sun in well-drained soil.

Kniphofia uvaria belongs to the Asphodelaceae family. This fleshy rhizome perennial plant is native to South and East Africa, but it withstands our cold and humid winters very well. It forms a slightly tousled upright clump, with tough ribbon-like leaves and parallel veins, reaching 1m (3ft) in height when flowering and 50cm (20in) in width. The flowering period is particularly long, from June to September, rising well above the foliage on bare stems. The inflorescence resembles a torch, and it is both nectar-rich and honey-producing. It is a dense terminal cluster of tubular and pendulous flowers, starting with a scarlet-red colour and gradually evolving towards orange, creating a gradient from top to bottom of the spike. The foliage is deciduous, composed of very long, slightly sharp, vibrant green and glossy leaves, grouped in a spreading bunch. Its ability to self-seed spontaneously is incomparable.

Their exotic appearance already charmed our grandmothers. Tritomas are surprising plants, yet very sturdy. They light up any garden with their colourful torches. Kniphofia uvaria integrates well into a large rock garden, paired with magenta red hollyhocks, common sage, purple toadflax, and the deep blue flowers of Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist'. Tritomas complement lightly flowering perennials. They can also be planted as solitary specimens on a lawn, along a pathway, mixing different colours, or combined with bamboo, yuccas, cannas, and lobelias to create an exotic atmosphere.