Kniphofia rooperi - Rooper's Red Hot Poker

Kniphofia rooperi is a very beautiful species of botanical tritoma, rarely used in gardens. This large evergreen perennial is particularly ornamental and vigorous. The plant produces several robust stems in late summer, exceeding 1.2m (4ft) in height, each carrying a wide, ovoid-shaped spike of a scarlet red colour quickly turning to a bright and soft yellow-orange. The strong rosette of long dark green keeled leaves shows the plant's vigour. This large hardy perennial is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful species to acclimatise in moist, even clayey soil. It is magnificent planted in isolation, or standing out in a naturalistic meadow. 

Kniphofia rooperi is a tall perennial native to South Africa, belonging to the Asphodelaceae family. This evergreen plant forms solid rosettes at least 70cm (28in) wide, composed of long deeply keeled leaves with very toothed edges, quite wide at the base, tapering to a beautiful dark green tip. In June, robust floral stems appear above the foliage, often reaching 1.5m (5ft) from the ground. From August to October, the stems bear particularly opulent terminal inflorescences for a tritoma. Its wide ovoid spikes are composed of numerous tubular flowers reaching 4cm (2in) in length. They open in bright red, then turn to yellow-orange, ripening to pale-yellow to green from the base of the spike to the top.

Their exotic appearance charmed our grandmothers. Tritomas are surprising plants, but nevertheless very robust, making them perfect candidates for the gardens of rectories or countryside flower beds where they light up with their colourful torches. Kniphofia rooperi thrives in moist soil, even clayey if properly drained, like some grasses (Calamagrostis brachytricha, Deschampsia cespitosa 'Tardiflora') with which it is magnificent, in a natural or contemporary style. It can also be paired with loosestrifes, ligularias, and eupatoriums, which also appreciate moist soils. It is well highlighted when planted in isolation, or on the edge of a water feature, in contrast to the opulent mass of osmundas or gunneras. Tritomas pair well with perennials with light blooms.

Compared to other varieties, this species takes a little longer to establish and therefore to flower, sometimes requiring a minimum of 2 years of cultivation, or even 3 years, before the first inflorescences are observed.