Kniphofia 'Tetbury Torch'
red-hot poker 'Tetbury Torch'
A herbaceous perennial up to 90cm high with dark green leaves and dark red-tinged flower stems in late summer and early autumn with flowers which progressively darken further up the stem so that the flowers at the base open creamy yellow, those in the middle open rich apricot yellow, and the topmost flowers open dark orange; it may have two flushes of flowers, and the flowers are good for pollinating insects
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Red | Cream Orange Yellow | Green | |
| Autumn | Green Red | Cream Orange Yellow | Green | |
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Asphodelaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Kniphofia may be evergreen or herbaceous perennials, with linear or strap-shaped leaves and erect stems bearing a dense raceme of tubular, usually pendent flowers
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in full sun and fertile, moist but well-drained soil that isn’t too wet over winter. See kniphofia cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by division of established clumps in late spring; propagation for resale is illegal without a licence from the breeder
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Prairie planting
- Coastal
- Gravel garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
- Banks and slopes
- Cut flowers
Pruning
Cut down old flower stems after flowering; old or dead leaves can be tidied up or removed in mid-spring
Pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.