'Ice Queen' Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia)
Perennial
- Unique flower spikes transition from orange to green, then creamy white!
- Loved by pollinators, especially hummingbirds & butterflies.
- Drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, & overall easy to care for.
- Great for perennial gardens, hedges, borders, or containers.
- Zones 5-8, sun, 4' tall x 2' wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Perfect for containers or mixed in the flower bed, this versatile plant is a great addition anywhere you seek to add drama thanks to its grass-like foliage and unique flower spikes. Have no fear, beginner gardeners; while red hot poker' may look exotic, it's exceptionally easy to care for thanks to its deer and rabbit resistance, drought tolerance, and low maintenance needs.
Details
Common name: Tritoma, red hot poker, torch lily
Zone: 5-8
Sun exposure: Sun (6+ Hours)
Height x width: 4' tall x 2' wide at maturity
Flower color: Green, white
Foliage color: Green
Bloom season: Summer
Bloom time: Summer, early fall
Features: Rare & unusual, rabbit-resistant, deer-resistant, heat-tolerant, drought-tolerant, low maintenance, pollinator-friendly
Uses: Accent, background, border, cottage gardening, foundation planting, massing, naturalizing, specimen
How to Grow
Light: Full sun.
Water: Average – Drought-tolerant once established.
Spacing: 1.5 – 2 ft.
Fertilizing: Seldom needs fertilizing if the soil is good to average. On very poor soils can feed lightly with a general-purpose or timed-release fertilizer (such as Osmocote) before new growth begins in spring.
Winterizing: Add a 2-3″ layer of shredded bark mulch in cold regions for protection.
Maintenance & Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers by cutting the flower stem at the base.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.