Kniphofia uvaria Orange Vanilla Popsicle - Red Hot Poker

Kniphofia 'Orange Vanilla Popsicle', also known as Flame Flower or Red Hot Poker, is an excellent recent cultivar. The flowering period is perpetual and displays a delicious gradient of red, orange, and creamy white. It forms a compact and low clump of very fine, grass-like glossy foliage that remains attractive throughout the season. From spring to late summer, it showcases dense spike inflorescences of small pendant bell-shaped flowers that attract butterflies and bees. It is a robust and cheerful perennial, drought-resistant, and should be planted in full sun with well-drained soil.

Kniphofia 'Orange Vanilla Popsicle' belongs to the Asphodelaceae family. This low variety is a recently hybridised crossbreed of various species native to southern and eastern Africa. It is a perennial with fleshy rhizomes. It forms an upright, slightly tousled clump with tough, fine, grass-like leaves, reaching 50 cm (20in) in height when in bloom and 40 cm (16in) in width. The flowering period is particularly long, occurring from May to September, rising well above the foliage on bare stems. The melliferous and nectariferous inflorescences are dense terminal clusters of tubular, pendant flowers, initially red in colour and evolving over time to orange, cream, and white, in a gradient from top to bottom of the spike. The foliage is deciduous, composed of very long, very thin, slightly sharp, bright green and glossy leaves, grouped in a loose bunch.

Their exotic appearance already charmed our grandmothers. Kniphofia are surprising, sturdy plants, and perfect candidates for cottage gardens or rustic borders where they light up with colourful torches. Kniphofia 'Orange Vanilla Popsicle' will blend well in a large rockery, paired with magenta red valerian, common sage, purple toadflax, and Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist' with deep blue flowers. Kniphofia work well with perennials that have light-coloured blooms. They can also be planted individually in a meadow bed, along a path, mixing different colors, or combined with bamboo, yuccas, cannas, and lobelias to create an exotic scene.