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Herbaceous Perennial

Kniphofia rooperi

Rooper's red-hot poker

K. rooperi is an evergreen perennial to 1.2m, with long, arching angled leaves and dense rounded spikes of tubular bright red flowers fading to yellow, in autumn

Synonyms

Kniphofia 'C.M. Prichard' misapplied
Tritoma rooperi
see moreKniphofia longicollis Baker

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asphodelaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
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: Correct
Plant range: South Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Best grown in a sandy soil that has been enriched with humus, but any deep, moist but well-drained soil will do. Good drainage in winter is essential. Full sun is best; can tolerate partial shade but flowering is reduced

Propagation

Propagate by division of established clumps in late spring. Propagate by taking offshoots from the crown

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Old flower stems can be cut down after flowering. Trim back old winter damaged foliage in spring

Pests

Can be damaged by slugs and snails. Thrips may cause mottling of the foliage

Diseases

Generally disease free, if winter drainage is good. Violet root rot may be a problem

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