Kniphofia uvaria Papaya Popsicle - Red Hot Poker

Kniphofia 'Papaya Popsicle' is part of a series of small-sized Red Hot Pokers, with a generous and long-lasting summer flowering period. This excellent variety blooms in successive waves throughout the summer, in a vibrant gradient of crimson red, orange, and yellow. It forms a compact and low clump of very fine, grassy, shiny foliage that remains attractive all season long. Its numerous inflorescences emerge on long stems, consisting of dense clusters of small pendulous bell-shaped flowers, attracting butterflies and bees. It is a robust and water-efficient perennial that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.

Kniphofia 'Papaya Popsicle' belongs to the Asphodelaceae family. This low-growing variety is a recently hybridised crossbreed of various species native to South and East Africa, including Kniphofia uvaria. It is a deciduous perennial with fleshy rhizomes, with above-ground vegetation that dries up in winter and reappears in spring. It forms an upright, slightly tousled clump with tough, long, and very thin leaves that can be slightly sharp. It reaches a height of 45 cm (18in) and a width of 50-60 cm (20-24in). The flowering period is particularly long, occurring from May-June to September, reaching a height of 60-70 cm (24-28in), well above the foliage, on bare stems. The flowers, which are both nectar-rich and honey-producing, are dense terminal clusters measuring 14 cm (6in) in height and 6 cm (2in) in width. It consists of tubular and pendulous flowers, starting as bright red and quickly changing to papaya orange and then yellow, in a gradient from top to bottom of the spike. The foliage forms an attractive clump, even when not in bloom.

Their exotic appearance already charmed our grandmothers. The new Red Hot Pokers, with their numerous brightly coloured flowers, are even more decorative. They are surprising, yet very sturdy plants, perfect candidates for cottage gardens or wildflower beds where they light up with colourful torches. Kniphofia 'Papaya Popsicle' will blend well in a large rockery, paired with magenta-red hollyhocks, blue, white, or purple salvias, or the deep blue flowers of Anchusa azurea 'Loddon Royalist', for example. We have designed a small contrasting scene that is easy to recreate with Penstemon Husker Red, 'Anthemis tinctoria Sauce Hollandaise', and Nepeta Purrsian Blue. Tritomas can also be placed individually in lawn, along a pathway mixing different colours, or combined with small agapanthus, ornamental grasses, or dwarf cannas to create an exotic scene.