Kniphofia Dorset Sentry - Red Hot Poker

Kniphofia 'Dorset Sentry' is a particularly floriferous variety of tritoma. Its opulent spikes bear many green buds, which unfold into bright acidic-yellow tubular flowers, which are sometimes tinged with orange. It blooms tirelessly, from summer to autumn, carrying its beautiful inflorescences at the top of robust bronze-coloured stems that emerge from a beautiful cluster of light green and vibrant gramineous leaves. This elegant variety will work wonders in refined borders. It is a sturdy perennial, to be planted in full sun, in well-drained soil.

Kniphofia 'Dorset Sentry' belongs to the Asphodelaceae family. This tall perennial is a hybrid obtained by cross-breeding various species native to South and East Africa. It is a plant with fleshy rhizomes. It forms an upright clump, with tough gramineous leaves, reaching 80cm (32in) in height and 50cm (20in) in width. The flowering is in summer, occurring from June to August-September, rising well above the foliage on bare stems. The honey-bearing and nectar-rich inflorescence is a dense terminal cluster of tubular flowers almost carried horizontally, with a colour ranging from acidic-yellow to golden-yellow and orange. It is almost uniform from top to bottom of the spike. The foliage is deciduous, composed of very long, very thin, somewhat sharp leaves, grouped in a large spreading cluster.

Their exotic appearance already charmed our grandmothers. Tritomas are surprising plants, yet very sturdy. They light up any garden with their colourful torches. Pair Kniphofia 'Dorset Sentry' with magenta red lychnis, common sage, purple toadflax, and the blue-flowered Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist'. Tritomas go well with lightly flowering perennials. They can also be planted in isolation, on a lawn, along a path by mixing colours, or associated with bamboo, yuccas, cannas, and lobelia to create an exotic atmosphere. They are also very good flowers for bouquets.