Red Hot Poker Plant Pruning

Common Name

Red Hot Poker Plant Pruning Tips
Red Hot Poker Plant Pruning Shrubs
Deadheading Red Hot Poker Flowers

red hot poker, torch lily

Monrovia's Flamenco Red Hot Poker details and information. Learn more about Monrovia plants and best practices for best possible plant performance. Kniphofia 'Safranvogel' (Red hot poker 'Safranvogel') will reach a height of 0.8m and a spread of 0.9m after 2-5 years. Architectural, City, Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean. Grow in fertile, loam or sandy soil enriched with humus. Anyway, usually, the first one or two I trim the leaves back neatly to the crown (or until I see green), then I lose all patience and trim them like I do liriope (gather all the brown leaves and crew cut them). I did manage to trim back a somewhat 'evergreen' red hot poker once, but it managed to make itself presentable by summer.

Traits

Sun
Coastal
Feature
Birds

Flowering Season

Autumn, Winter, Spring

Genus

Mostly from South Africa, there are around 70 species of clump-forming perennials that make up this genus in the asphodel (Asphodelaceae) family, They are grown mainly for their tall flower stems that are topped with vivid bottlebrush-shaped heads of red, orange, yellow, cream, and sometimes green flowers, and many hybrids and cultivars have been raised in a variety of sizes, and these have extended the flower colour range even further. The genus name honours German professor Johann Hieronymus Kniphof (17041763), while the common names red hot poker or torch lily, aptly describe the appearance of the striking flowerheads.

Appearance

Red hot pokers are clump-forming perennials with grassy to sword-shaped, often evergreen foliage that emerges from vigorous rhizomes. Tall sturdy flower stems bear bottlebrush heads of intensely coloured flowers, usually in shades of orange and red. Many hybrids and cultivars have been raised in a variety of sizes and flower colours. Flowering usually occurs from autumn to spring, depending on the species, and the blooms last well when cut.

Cultivation

Kniphofia species require a position in full sun with moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil, and they should be watered well during the flowering season. Most species tolerate light to moderate frosts, though none will tolerate repeated heavy frosts; they can cope with salt winds and will thrive near the coast. Propagation is usually by division after flowering, or from seed.

Gardening Australia suggests you check with your local authorities regarding the weed potential of any plants for your particular area.

Topics

By Sarahsmaller

Wellington, New Zealand

Hi, my red hot poker plant has just come to the end of flowering. I have read that I should cut the flower stems down as close to the root as possible but what about the leaves? I have trimmed off most of the dead ones but the green leaves are really long-too long to stand erect so they hang in a messy clump and look very untidy. Can I cut them shorter to tidy up or will this kill them? Thanks

On plant Kniphofia uvaria

29 Aug, 2009

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Answers

From Bluestone Perennials - Dead heading may prolong blooming by removing old flower spikes. To improve appearance, cut back foliage by one half. Leave foliage for winter protection and cut back to 3' in spring. Divide in spring.