The Poker with Many Names
This unique flower has not only an everyday name, but numerous labels of grandeur.
Red Hot Poker is a large, perennial Lilly from southern Africa. Torch Lilly is quite another name for this unique large torch- like cluster of small drooping tubular flowers. The V shaped flower top, usually of two colors, rise above the green foliage on a stout, erect stem leaving an obvious keel shaped mid vein on the underside.
Kniphofia uvaria measure 1.5 m with each capsule containing many seeds which are wind blown, travel on shoes, clothing and in soil. Being part of the Asphodelaceae family it spreads by and regrows from its rhizomes, and from garden clumping. Blue-leaf Red Hot Poker loves high altitudes, yet adapting to numerous sandy, clay and loamy soils in lower lands.
It is no wonder Fire Dance is so eye catching in sight and names alike! Kniphofia caulescens likes grassy slopes which allow the towering, mid to late summer spikes to take ones eyes to focus on its robust rosettes of bluish, Green foliage as well.
Red Hot Poker can dazzle even the compost enriched soils left by wild fires in many weather zones. It remains hardy in zones 5 to 10 making it a thriving flower in numerous states. The drainage for this beautiful cluster requires moisture and good drainage too.
These wildflowers species K caulescens originating in Drakensbery Mountains, in South Africa now can be extensively admired in the United States.
Liked it
9 Responses to “The Poker with Many Names”
On June 9, 2009 at 5:31 am
Thjat is so cool! I’d love to have some around Halloween! They look like candy corn!
Thanks,
Clay
On June 9, 2009 at 5:41 am
Colorful, informative article and a blossom I’ve not seen before.
On June 9, 2009 at 7:22 am
Haha..your title tricked me…I thought poker is related to gambling….haha..I’m wrong here..it’s related to botany..good post anyway…
Give u one “click” for tempting me in…:-)
On June 9, 2009 at 7:32 am
Excellent article Goodself , I didn’t know about these we don’t grow a big amount of varieties around here , wonderful article.
On June 9, 2009 at 7:35 am
Clay’s right. Those do look like candy corn.
On June 9, 2009 at 7:43 am
I agree with Clay. Candy corn!
On June 9, 2009 at 10:45 am
How nice this plant
On June 9, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Very nice Goodself, I really enjoyed this one and the flowers are really interesting.
On June 10, 2009 at 12:14 pm
That’s a lovely article, I knew nothing about this plant, thanks for sharing.
Post Comment