Kniphofia Red Rocket - Red Hot Poker

Kniphofia 'Red Rocket' is a stocky dwarf variety, highly appreciated for its bright red floral spikes throughout summer. They emerge from a beautiful cluster of leaves resembling those of grasses. The spikes appear in spring and again in late summer. Red-hot pokers are easy-to-grow perennial plants that make a big impact in the centre or front of flower beds. They thrive in full sun, in well-drained soil.

'Red Rocket' is a horticultural hybrid tritoma belonging to the Asphodelaceae family. It is derived, among others, from Kniphofia uvaria, a perennial plant with fleshy rhizomes native to South and East Africa, which tolerates our cold and wet winters quite well if planted in well-drained soil.

This 'Red Rocket' variety is compact. It forms an upright, slightly tousled tuft of tough ribbon-like leaves from spring onwards, reaching about 35cm (14in) in all directions. The flowering period is particularly long, extending from June to August, rising 50cm (20in) above the foliage on bare stems. The inflorescence, about 15cm (6in) long, resembles a torch in shape, and is both nectar-rich and honey-rich. It is a dense terminal cluster of tubular and pendulous flowers, with a bright red colour throughout, unlike most tritomas. Each 'hot poker' remains decorative for about 3 weeks. The foliage consists of thin and very long leaves, slightly sharp, with a somewhat greyish-green hue. They are grouped in a spreading bunch. The leaves die down in winter.

Their exotic appearance already charmed our grandmothers. Tritomas are surprising plants, yet very sturdy. They light up any garden with their colourful torches. Kniphofia 'Red Rocket' will integrate well into a rockery, paired with magenta red hollyhocks, common sages, grasses like stipa, and Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist' with deep blue flowers. Tritomas go well with light-flowering perennials like catmints, 'Buenos Aires' verbenas, lavenders, or gaura. They can also be planted individually on a lawn, along a pathway, mixing different colours, or combined with dwarf bamboos, yuccas, cannas, and lobelias to create an exotic atmosphere. Tritomas thrive in sunny exposures. They need water in summer but little in winter. It is important to monitor their location and substrate under certain climates. The soil should be rich and well-drained, but not dried out. They tolerate temperatures below -10°C (14°F), but mulching will help them withstand freezing temperatures.