Kniphofia pauciflora Flamenco - Red Hot Poker

The Kniphofia 'Limelight' is a new variety of tritoma with a compact habit, displaying a flowering with decidedly acidic tones. This curious plant, very green, showcases bright inflorescences in the shape of almost fluorescent spikes in the summer, composed of lime green flowers that open to lemon yellow at the top of the spike. Not very tall, sturdy against the wind, its flowering dominates a beautiful clump of gracefully arching leaves, in a striking shade of green, which remain attractive all year round. This variety, easy to combine in the garden, is also not very demanding in terms of soil, hardy, not water-hungry, and resistant to heat.

The Kniphofia 'Limelight' belongs to the asphodel family. This perennial is a hybrid obtained by cross-breeding various species native to South and East Africa, including the South African Kniphofia pauciflora. It is a plant with fleshy rhizomes. It has a particularly compact habit and flowers with an unusual color, in a range of green and yellow. This plant forms a spreading, fountain-like clump, formed by tough, gutter-shaped leaves. When in bloom, it will reach about 60cm (24in) in height and 45cm (18in) in width. The flowering period is in summer, from July to September, rising above the foliage at the end of stout, solid, leafless, cylindrical stems. The inflorescence, nectar-bearing and nectar-producing, is a dense terminal cluster of tubular, pendant flowers, with a color evolving from acidic green to green-yellow, ending in lemon yellow. The foliage of this variety is evergreen, decorative, composed of leaves gathered in a large, spreading bunch.

Their exotic appearance already charmed our grandmothers. Tritomas are surprising plants, but nevertheless very sturdy, perfect candidates for cottage gardens or wildflower beds where they light up with colorful torches. Pair the Kniphofia 'Limelight' with all the flowers in the garden: just like lady's mantle and certain euphorbias, it has very fresh tones that enhance all the other shades. It goes particularly well with chocolate, caramel, orange, or red tones. For example, combine it with colorful heucheras, magenta-red hollyhocks, or purple grasses like Pennisetum setaceum rubrum for color and texture contrast. Tritomas go well with lightly flowering perennials and provide structure to the beds, just like grasses do.