Kniphofia caulescens Flower (20/10/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Late spring and autumn
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 1.2m
Eventual Spread: 60cm
Hardiness: 7a – 10b
Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Kniphofia caulescens is an evergreen perennial with an upright, clump forming habit. Its gray green leaves are strap shaped and channeled. Its red/ orange/ yellow flowers are tubular and borne in dense terminal racemes at the ends of erect stems. Its roots are rhizomes which may aid its spread.
Kniphofia caulescens, commonly known as the Red Hot Poker, Torch Lily, Lesotho Red Hot Poker or Caulescent Red Hot Poker, is native to south Africa. In its native habitat it grows in mountain grasslands. In south east Australia Kniphofia has become naturalised and regarded as an environmental weed.
The etymological root of the binomial name Kniphofia was named for Professor Johann Hieronymus Kniphof, an 18th century botanist. Caulescens is derived from the Greek kaulos meaning ‘stem’, in reference to its prominent stems.
The landscape architect may find Kniphofia caulescens useful as an evergreen perennial with an architectural habits. It is tolerant of a maritime climate. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.
Ecologically, Kniphofia caulescens flowers are attractive to pollinating insects and nectar loving birds.
Kniphofia caulescens (20/10/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
The Royal Horticultural Society has given Kniphofia caulescens their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Kniphofia caulescens prefers moist, deep, well-drained soils. It prefers an acid to neutral pH of soil.
Kniphofia caulescens requires little maintenance. Plants may be cut back after flowering to maintain a tidy appearance. Large clumps may be divided in spring.