Kniphofia Green Jade - Red Hot Poker

Kniphofia 'Green Jade' is a large variety of tritoma that displays extravagant inflorescences in the shape of almost fluorescent torches, composed of cream-coloured flowers, opening in apple green speckled with orange at the top of the spike, then maturing into a cream to pale-yellow tone. It flowers from July to October. This robust perennial forms a generous clump of ribbon-like, arching leaves, reminiscent of miscanthus. It remains attractive all year round. This variety is sensitive to very harsh winters. It will thrive in full sun, in moist but well-drained fertile soil.

Kniphofia 'Green Jade' 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 presents flowers with an unusual colour, in a range of cream, yellow, and apple green. This plant forms an upright clump, with keeled, tough, and flat leaves, reaching 1 to 1.2m (3 to 4ft) in height and 60 to 80cm (24 to 32in) in width. The flowering occurs in summer and autumn, from July-August to October, rising well above the foliage, carried by bare stems. The honey-bearing and nectar-rich inflorescence is a dense terminal cluster of tubular and pendulous flowers, with a cream colour evolving towards acid-green, slightly tinged with orange when located in extreme positions, then becoming white-cream, from the bottom to the top of the spike. The foliage is evergreen, composed of very long, thick but thin leaves, gathered in a large spreading bunch.

Their exotic appearance already charmed our grandmothers. Tritomas are surprising plants, yet very sturdy. They light up any garden with their colourful torches. Combine Kniphofia 'Green Jade' with magenta red mallow, blue agapanthus, purple linarias, and Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist', with deep blue flowers. Tritomas go well with lightly flowering perennials and structure beds just like tall grasses. They can be planted in isolation, on a lawn, along a path mixing colours, or with bamboo, yuccas, cannas, and lobelias to create an exotic atmosphere. They are also beautiful near water points, planted on a bank in well-drained soil.