The genus Kniphofia (red hot poker) is a group of South African native perennials that range from 10" dwarfs to 7' giants. We have spent quite a bit of time evaluating kniphofia species and cultivars for their garden performance and hope you enjoy our ever-expanding offerings. Most red hot pokers are quite easy to grow in bright sun and good garden soil.
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Kniphofia flowers are gorgeous red, orange, yellow and cream colored tubes displayed on a spike. The common name "red hot poker" is accurate as the flowers look like they just emerged from a botanical forge...reminiscent of Fourth of July sparklers. Kniphofia has a wide range of flowering times from mid-spring through late fall, depending on the selection. Hummingbirds and butterflies, like gardeners, are attracted to the colorful flower spikes of red hot pokers.
As you might expect from a South African plant, Kniphofia is quite heat- and drought-tolerant. Despite its origin, it benefits from a rich soil and being divided every 3-5 years. When you are ready to buy kniphofia for your garden, we hope you will check out our red hot poker selections below.
Since 1988, Plant Delights Nursery has been the choice of serious gardeners and plant collectors looking for the best and rarest perennial plants. We are pleased to have received the Perennial Plant Association Retail Award in 2011, the American Horticulture Society Commercial Award in 2002, and to have been selected as one of the Best Mail Order Plant Sources - Garden Design Magazine 2010. Welcome to our family of plant lovers!
As Monty Python's troupe would say, "And now for something completely different." From South Africa's famed Drakensberg Mountains comes this most unusual poker, whose narrow, fleshy, grass-like leaves form a loose upright green clump. The clumps are topped in late spring with narrow 2' tall spikes of lightly fragrant, pure white flowers that resemble holiday sparklers...attractive to hummingbirds. Kniphofia buchananii has an esoteric cuteness...just think of it as the Charlie Brown's Christmas tree of red hot pokers. This species is ideal for small gardens, which can be the perfect excuse for indulging in an esoteric cuteness fetish. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Kniphofia 'Elizabeth Pierce' is a vigorous growing Olympic Coast Garden introduction with 3' tall spikes of buttery yellow flowers that top the narrow green-leaf clump from mid-May until mid-June...very attractive to gardeners and hummingbirds. The plant was named after the nursery owner's mother. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Thanks to Jim Massey for sharing this killer poker that he got from "Lola." Kniphofia 'Lola' is, as we say in the South, a real honker. In other words, it's big, it's bodacious, it's the Bo Derek of the red hot pokers. Our amazing clumps are 5' tall x 5' wide with 6-7' spikes of orange flowers in midsummer...a hub for hummingbirds. This is not for the small garden, small people who are easily intimidated, or those who have been diagnosed with a heart condition. If you want to make a loud statement and you have plenty of room, invite "Lola" into your garden! Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
We first picked up this fine dwarf poker in the UK, but it has since performed admirably in our climate, so we are delighted to share. The narrow, grass-like foliage gives rise to 2' tall, narrow spikes of coral-red flowers in July. Kniphofia 'Nancy's Red' is a charming plant and hummingbird attractor, in scale for even the smallest of gardens. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This little-known South African species has been one of the top performers in our poker trials. The small clump of linear green foliage is topped in July with attractive 20" spikes of lime green...an unusual color, but one that is great for creating amazing color combinations. Pot Size: 2 qt. (1.892 L)
This late-flowering South African red hot poker, native to coastal marshes, garnered all the attention at our September Open House. Instead of a typical poker-like flower head, Kniphofia rooperi boasts a broad, squatty head (like a former prez's womenfolk). Each flower head is exquisitely patterned yellow at the bottom and bright orange all the way to the top...a hummingbird delight. For us, the 3' flower spikes of Kniphofia rooperi emerge in August and continue through October. Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
Once again, we have built up enough stock of Norman Beal's excellent introduction, originating in the garden of Sally and Pat Patterson of Sanford, NC. Kniphofia 'Sally's Comet' starts blooming in late spring and will often rebloom through the summer (moisture dependent). This vigorous grower produces sturdy 3' tall flowering spikes of pure bright yellow...a hummingbird party plant. We predict star status for this new poker! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
This wonderful 1980s introduction was selected by John Metcalf of Four Seasons Nursery in the UK. Compared to the larger pokers, the narrow green leaves on this winner of the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) Award of Garden Merit make a smallish, 2' wide clump. Starting in June (NC), the 3' tall, narrow flower stalks end in ivory flowers with an orange top...a very unusual color combination in pokers...elegantly stunning and a hummingbird magnet. Be sure to stick one of these pokers up your...I mean, IN your garden! Pot Size: 3.5" (24 fl. oz/709.77 ml)
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