Kniphofia rooperi
This plant is a real architectural treasure and, as such, is ideally suited the Rosemoor's Square (hot colour-themed) Garden, where several eye-catching groups are to be found. Later flowering than some of the other red-hot pokers, Kniphofia rooperi provides a superb patch of brilliant colour when many of the other hot coloured subjects are beginning to fade.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Red hot poker, torch lily
- Family
- Asphodelaceae
- Height & spread
- 1.2m (4ft) x 60cm (2ft)
- Form
- Evergreen perennial
- Soil
- Fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained, preferably sandy
- Aspect
- Full sun or partial shade
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
Kniphofia
Kniphofias are grown for their spikes of brightly coloured, usually orange, red, yellow or greenish-white flowers. These are borne well above the foliage and are attractive to bees.
They look good among ornamental grasses and can fit into most styles of gardening, from cottage gardens to ultra modern.
This genus contains approximately 70 species of evergreen or deciduous rhizomatous perennials from southern and tropical Africa, found in moist places in the uplands and mountains.
Most of them are clump forming and have sword-shaped, often evergreen foliage, arranged in erect rosettes. The deciduous species have narrow, grassy foliage, whereas the evergreen plants often have leaves that are folded, with a keel at the back.
The genus was named for Johann Hieronymus Kniphof (1704-1763), professor of medicine at Efurt and author of a folio of nature-printed illustrations of plants in 1747.
Many cultivars have been raised, ranging in height from less than 50cm (20in) to about 1.8m (6ft).
Kniphofia rooperi
This is a robust, evergreen perennial from the Eastern Cape of South Africa, with sword-like, arching, keeled, dark green leaves.
The flowers, borne in early to late autumn are orange-red becoming orange-yellow and egg-shaped.
It makes an excellent accent plant for a sunny border.
Cultivation
- Grow in deep, fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained, preferably sandy soil. They prefer full sun but will tolerate partial shade.
- Mulch young plants with straw or leaves for the first winter.
- Thrips may cause mottling of the foliage and snails can lurk and attack flower stems and nearby plants.
- Violet root rot may be a problem.
Propagation
- The most effective way to propagate most cultivars and species is by division in early spring.
- Seed may be sown on spring, and germination is usually rapid and easy, though cultivars will not come true.