Back to plants
Red hot poker with red and orange flower clusters in a sunny borderPerennials

Kniphofia uvaria

Red Hot Poker

red hot pokerdrought-tolerantbee-friendlyexoticsun-loving

Red Hot Poker is a spectacular perennial with torch-shaped flower clusters in fiery shades of red, orange and yellow. The blooms appear from June to September on sturdy stems above grass-like foliage. The plant is a magnet for hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.

Want to see Red Hot Poker in your garden?

1 minute, no credit card

Start free design
Free design

Want to see Red Hot Poker in your garden? Make a free design now.

Upload a photo, pick a style, and get a photorealistic design with plant list in under a minute.

See your garden free

400+ gardens designed already

No credit card required

Before
After

Characteristics

Sun
Full sun
Water
Low
Height
80–120 cm
Spread
45–60 cm
Hardiness zone
5–9
Family
Asphodelaceae
Evergreen
Yes
Flower colors
red, orange, yellow
Wildlife value
bees, butterflies, birds

Bloom period

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Care guide

Plant in full sun in well-drained, not too heavy soil. Avoid winter waterlogging — this is the greatest threat. Water sparingly in summer. In autumn, tie the leaves together to protect the crown from frost damage.

Pruning tips

Cut spent flower stems at the base. Only remove dead leaves in spring, as they protect the plant in winter. Divide large clumps in spring if the plant outgrows its space.

Good companions

Blooming lavender with purple-blue flowers in summer sunlightShrubs

Lavandula angustifolia

English Lavender

Lavender is a beloved herb with aromatic silver-green foliage and purple-blue flower spikes. This evergreen plant blooms profusely from June to August and is remarkably drought-tolerant, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.

Full sunLow30–60 cm
Silvery-white plumes of Chinese Silver Grass swaying in autumn windOrnamental grasses

Miscanthus sinensis

Chinese Silver Grass

Chinese Silver Grass is a striking ornamental grass that adds structure to any garden with its tall plumes and gracefully arching leaves. Silvery-white plumes appear from August to October and catch the autumn and winter light beautifully. The dried grass remains attractive throughout winter.

Full sunMedium150–250 cm
Blue globe-shaped flower head of African Lily against a sunny backdropPerennials

Agapanthus africanus

African Lily

The African Lily produces spectacular globe-shaped flower heads in blue or white on sturdy, tall stems above strap-like foliage. It blooms from June to August and lends a Mediterranean feel to any patio or container planting. In mild climates the plant is evergreen.

Full sunMedium60–100 cm