By Whatsaplant

Surrey, United Kingdom

Red Hot Poker plants - Kniphofia

I have more than one of these in my front garden but only two have really 'grown' to the point where the main stem of the tallest is about 6 foot high. My problem is that all, or virtually all, of the flowers have disappeared. My gardener says this is probably down to birds. My research says they are very popular with hummingbirds. I wasn't aware that we had any hummingbirds in Britain. Then I saw a picture somewhere else where the main stem (flowerless) looked much the same as mine. But that person seemed to suggest that the flowers just dropped off after a very short space of time. I have rigged up a sort of bird-scarer, but it's a bit of a waste of time unless I've got a bird that can hover.

Surrey, United Kingdom. Red Hot Poker plants - Kniphofia. I have more than one of these in my front garden but only two have really 'grown' to the point where the main stem of the tallest is about 6 foot high. My problem is that all, or virtually all, of the flowers have disappeared. My gardener says this is probably down to birds. Kniphofia Rooperi – Red hot poker 20 seeds - UK SELLER. Click & Collect. Red Hot Poker plant in 13cm pot approx.

Has anybody got any thoughts?

• 25 Jun, 2012

Answers

Can I ask whether you got any flowers at all this year, or whether the stem came up 'blind'?

There are still flowers on one of the stems so my answer would have to be 'Yes', but how many is another question.

For various reasons, I don't necessarily go out at the front of the house every day. But I can't recall having seen a whole 'head' of flowers. On the main stem there are shrivelled whiteish 'leaves' extending down the top approx. 2 foot of the stem.

I noticed that the Kniphofia we have here did something similar - it flowered, but the flower didn't last very long. The leaves, though, seem fine. These plants are prone to thrips infestation, but it seems unlikely its that because that's usually when the weather's hot and dry, which clearly, it hasn't been. In which case, I'd put it down to the weather this year - flowering on some plants is either late, aborted, or poor. Not all, but some, and Kniphofia likes full sun and light soil - perhaps the cold temperatures, dark days and rain have taken their toll this year.

I bought a lemon coloured version last year and I can confirm that birds LOVED the flowers. No idea what is in them but it's obviously very tasty. We have some regular red hot pokers and they haven't been touched (fantastic show this year!). But I'll be keeping an eye on the lemon one when it flowers later this year as it was whittled down in a day and the birds literally fought over it!

The snails in my garden love them too (the small lemon version I have anyway.)

If only the birds would just eat the snails our lemon Kniphofias would be safe :-)

birds like the blue tits etc, love the nectar in the base of the flower.
but I agree why cant they go for the greenfly etc?

Slugs and snails ate any yellow ones I've planted. If you are growing red/orange ones....split them every 3 years or so. Mine are best of all this year, but flowers not long lasting.

No hummingbirds east of the Atlantic or west of the Pacific, but--just for the record--they don't remove flowers, just sip from them! : )

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A fine architectural plant with striking verticalblooms, topped by blazing red, orange and yellowtapering flower heads, that really do resemble fieryhot pokers. Kniphofia are tough, long-livedplants, with a long flowering season (spring tolate autumn).

Family: Asphodelaceae
Botanical Name: Kniphofia
Common Names: red-hot poker, torchlily
Foliage: Perennial evergreen. Mid-greenstrap-like leaves.
Flowers: Tall striking flower spikesthat appear above the foliage on thick stems. The denselypacked, pendent, tubular flower heads range in colour from yellow to orange, pink and bright red (dependingon variety).
Flowering Period: April to October.
Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drainedsoil. Best in sand or loam. Acid or neutral pH.
Conditions: Full sun. South or west facingaspect. Exposed or sheltered position.
Habit: Tufted.
Type: Herbaceous perennial.
Origin: Southern and eastern Africaand Madagascar.
Hardiness: Hardy to half-hardy inthe UK.

Planting and Growing Kniphofia

Plant in early autumn or spring. Best grown ina well-drained, but not over rich soil. Choose an open sunny situation for best flowers.

Easy to grow given the right conditions. No stakingrequired. Excellent for city and coastal gardens. Idealfor borders, pots and containers. Dwarf forms are availablefor the rockery.

The tall stiff stems are loved by flower arrangers.

Taking Care of Kniphofia

Water container-grown plants regularly over thesummer. Protect more tender species with fleeceduring cold periods. Apply a light fertilizer in springor early summer.

Pruning Kniphofia

Deadhead after flowering. Leave the old foliageon the plant to protect the crown over winter. Tidyplants in spring by pulling away dead and damaged leavesa the base.

Pests and Diseases

Generally disease free. Can be damaged by slugsand snails. Regularly checkfor these pests hiding in amongst the leaves.

Propagating Kniphofia

Easily propagated by division in the spring or bytaking offshoots from the crown.

Seed can be sown inlate winter under glass. Grow-on in a cold frame andplant out the following spring (Note: namedcultivars will not come true from seed).

Popular Varieties of Kniphofia Grown in the UK

There is an extensive range of Pokers available,ranging from tall to medium and dwarf height. Not allkniphofia flowers are red however, there is a wideselection of named varieties that provide a floweringseason from April to October,in colours varying from white through all the shadesof yellow, red and orange.

K. caulescens (S. Africa) is oneof the most striking species with evergreen longgrey leaves and pinkish-red flower spikes that fadeto cream. This is the only fully hardy kniphofia inthe UK. Height 4ft (1.2m), spread 2ft (60cm).

K. galpinii has drooping, red orangeflame coloured spikes. Height 3ft (1m), spread 1ft(30cm).

K. galpinii Bressingham Torchflame red ageing to orange yellow. Height to 3ft (90cm).

K. citrina has light yellow flowersthat appear in late summer. Height3ft (1m), spread 1ft (30cm).

K. northiae a good variety forits foliage, the agave-like leaves provide an exoticfeel. Hardy. Height up to 70in (170cm).

K. rooperi – unusual rounded flowersin orange, red and yellow. Blooms from September inthe UK. Height from 2 to 5ft (60-155cm).

K. triangularis has flame-colouredflowers in late summer. Height 2ft (60cm), spread 1ft(30cm).

K. thomsonii var. thomsonii 'Stern's Trip' hasdelicate, widely-spaced vertical flowers in red andorange that become brighter in colour as they open.Not fully hardy in UK. Height3 to 4ft (90-120cm).

K. uvaria has various forms thatcan grow up to 5ft (1.5m), in a range of bold colours.One of the most commonly grown and hardiest red-hot poker species.

K. uvaria ‘Nobilis’ (syns. 'Grandiflora','Maxima') is taller and earlier flowering, with deeporange flowers.

K. ‘Alcazar’ bears bright red flowers.Height to 5ft (1.5m).

K. ‘Bees' Sunset’ - soft orangeflower heads that fade to yellow on colourful bronzestems. Height to 4.5ft (130cm).

K. 'Bees' Lemon' has heavy spikes of luminous lemon yellow (August toSeptember) Height to 4ft (120cm).

K. ‘Border Ballet’ is in variousshades from cream to pink. Height to 2ft (60cm).

K. ‘Brimstone’ has green buds thatopen to yellow flowers (late flowering). Height to2ft (60cm).

K. ‘Buttercup’ has green buds which open intoyellow flowers (early flowering). Height to 3 ft (1m).

K. ‘Early Buttercup’ has large spikes of brightyellow flowers (early flowering). Height to 3 ft (1m).

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K. ‘Fiery Fred’ blazing orange-red flowers. Height to 3ft (1m).

K. ‘Green Jade’ bears cool greenflowers. Height to 3 ft (1m).

K. ‘Ice Queen’ has cream flowers tinged with green.Height to 3 ft (1m).

K. ‘Jenny Bloom’ has cream and coral-pink flowers(late flowering). Height to 3 ft (1m).

K. ‘Little Maid’ has ivory flower spikes tipped with yellow. Dwarfvariety, reaching only 22in (55cm).

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K. ‘Percy’s Pride’ has green and yellow flowers. Height to 2ft 8in (80cm).

K. ‘Samuel’s Sensation’ bears longspikes yellow flowers that change to red at thetips (late flowering). Height to 5ft (1.5m).

K. 'Sceptre’ has bright yellowflower spikes. Height to 3ft (1m).

K. 'Strawberries and Cream' pale yellow and rich pink. Height to 1.5ft (45cm).

K. ‘Sunningdale Yellow’ bears yellowflowers (long flowering period. Height to 2.5ft (75cm).

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K. ‘Toffee Nosed' has cream flowerstipped with brown. Height to 3 ft (1m)

K. ‘Yellow Hammer’ has pure yellowflowers. Height to 2 ft (60cm).

K. ‘Tawny King’ an unusual varietywith bronze stems and tallflower spikes that change fromdeep orange though apricot to creamy white. Height3-4ft (90-130cm)