Gardens look better for some variety in the height in the planting and I try to grow a variety of perennials like Red Hot Pokers to give some tall plants chance to shine. Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia) have flowered well this year and they throw up their well known spire of blossom in shades from deep red, orange, yellow and white even to a new greenish form (Kniphofia Green Jade).

Growing Red Hot Pokers

• Red Hot Pokers have long sword like narrow leaves and the flowers can last in a vase for up to two weeks.
• The Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker or Torch Lily) needs abundant moisture during its growing period so good draining  soil rich in organic matter, is ideal.
• Red Hot Pokers need full sun to flower upto 4 feet tall in mid summer. Prune the spikes  after blooming.
• To propagate remove young plants from the edge of a clump  in spring or they can be grown from mixed seeds sown in September.
• Provide adequate spacing to encourage clumping up as they may spread up to three feet.
• Although Red Hot Pokers are drought tolerant they will do better if they are given plenty of water during hot weather.

Other Resources

Royal Horticultural Society RHS ‘Gardening for All’
National Council for Conservation of Plants and Gardens ‘Conservation through Cultivation.’
Garden Organic National Charity for Organic Gardening.
BBC Gardening