Kniphofia uvaria Nancys Red - Red Hot Poker

The Kniphofia 'Nancy's Red' is a compact variety of tritoma, very floriferous, always highly appreciated for its flowering spikes displaying a gorgeous coral red colour throughout the summer. They emerge from a beautiful cluster of leaves resembling those of grasses during a beautiful period, in spring and again at the end of summer. The Red Hot Pokers are perennial plants that are easy to grow and make a great impact in the center or at the back of flower beds. They thrive in full sun, in well-drained soil.

'Nancy's Red' is a hybrid tritoma of horticultural origin belonging to the Asphodelaceae family. It is derived, among others, from the Kniphofia uvaria, a perennial plant with fleshy rhizomes native to South and East Africa, which withstands our cold and humid winters quite well if planted in well-drained soil.

This more compact 'Nancy's Red' variety forms an upright tuft from spring, a bit disheveled, with tough ribbon-like leaves, parallel veins, reaching about 35 cm (14in) in all directions. The flowering period is particularly long, spanning 2 months in May-June, then recurring at the end of summer, rising up to 60 cm (24in) above the foliage on bare stems. The inflorescence, about 20 cm (8in) long, resembles a torch in shape, and it is both nectar-rich and nectar-bearing. It is a dense terminal cluster of tubular and pendulous flowers, with a fairly uniform coral red colour, although some flowers are occasionally edged with orange. Each 'tison' remains decorative for about 3 weeks. The foliage consists of thin and very long leaves, slightly sharp, with a somewhat grayish green colour, grouped in a spreading bunch. It disappears in winter.

Tritomas are surprising plants, very sturdy, perfect candidates for cottage gardens or wildflower beds where they light up with coloured torches. The Kniphofia 'Nancy's Red' will blend well in a large rockery, paired with magenta red mallows, officinal salvias, grasses like Stipa, and Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist' with deep blue flowers. Tritomas go well with light-flowering perennials such as catmints, Buenos Aires verbenas, or lavenders. They can also be planted individually on a lawn, along a border mixing colours, or combined with dwarf bamboos, yuccas, cannas, and lobelias to create an exotic atmosphere.