Kniphofia caulescens
(Lesotho Red Hot Poker)
Family - Asphodelaceae
Category - Perennial
Origin - South Africa
Year of Introduction - 1862
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Hardiness - H5
Height - 90cm or more
Width - 60cm
Location - The White Garden
Description: An Evergreen Perennial with an upright, tufted habit. Handsome blue-green leaves are linear to lanceolate and held on short, thick stems. Orange buds open to pale yellow tubular flowers with long, protruding stamens. The pendent Blooms are held in dense spikes and are produced from early summer to early autumn. The time of flowering is variable, depending on the form that is being grown. The form at Malverleys Blooms in early summer.
This plant is used in the White Garden at Malverleys because of the very attractive colour of the foliage.
Additional common names include - Basuto Torch Lily and Caulescent Red Hot Poker
Flower:
Orange buds open to pale yellow tubular flowers with long stamens. The pendent blooms are held in dense spikes and held clear of the foliage. The flowers are produced from June to September, but this is variable depending on the form planted. The form at Malverleys blooms in June.
Flower colour: Orange, yellow
Flower shape: Tubular flowers in spikes
Flowering time: June, July, August, September
Foliage:
Broad linear to lanceolate leaves are blue-green and have a smooth, waxy texture. Each leaf can reach 70cm in length. The leaves are held in basal rosettes and on short, thick stems.
Foliage Senescence: Evergreen
Foliage Shape: Linear to lanceolate
Propagation:
Division (separation) of rosettes, seed.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun in fertile, moisture retentive soil that is well drained.