Kniphofia 'Royal Standard'

red hot poker

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: July to August
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Tall bright and imposing, kniphofias lend height, vibrancy and drama to any garden. 'Royal Standard' produces spikes of bright yellow tubular flowers, scarlet in bud, above clumps of evergreen, strap-like leaves. Originally from South Africa, the elegant, torch-like flowers of kniphofia make vertical accents in a sunny border and look particularly good as part of a scheme based on 'hot' colours. They also look great with a background of ornamental grasses. An easy and undemanding plant.
  
  
• Garden care: In autumn remove and compost the faded flower spikes and apply a deep dry mulch such as pine needles around the crown of the plant. Avoid excessive winter wet and cut back to the ground in spring to keep the foliage fresh-looking. Divide and re-plant overcrowded colonies in spring.