KNIPHOFIA. Poker plant, torch lily. South Africa. These are rugged, interesting perennials of the lily family. All form tight basal clumps, each individual shoot being a fountain-like rosette of narrow, pointed leaves. In summer (or in some cases, much of the year), torch-like clusters of long, tubular flowers rise above the foliage on naked stalks. Flower colors include various combinations of red, orange, yellow and white. They may be displayed individually or used in large borders in neglected areas. Sun, most soils, moderate to occasional watering when established. Hardiness varies.

‘Christmas Cheer’. A robust hybrid with crowns of broad, stiff leaves. It flowers in fall and early winter, after most kniphofias have finished their show, carrying broad clusters of long, brilliant reddish orange flowers, lighter in bud.

citrina. A species similar to the better-known K. uvaria, below. The leaves are dark green, channeled and up to 2’ long. The flowering stalks are a little over 2’ high, carrying dense clusters of mostly yellow flowers. We have made some reselections from Jelitto seed strains to yield uniformly yellow-flowered plants. Hardy to 15^oF or less.

galpinii. One of the smaller species, with grass-like, bright green leaves 2’ long. The flower stems are more slender and graceful than those of K. uvaria and bear vivid orange torches. A good plant for large containers. Hardy to 18^oF or less.

uvaria is the classic red hot poker of old fashioned gardens, highly variable even in its wild forms. It has been combined by hybridizers with other species to increase flower size and color range, giving us the present array of named cultivars. Among standard-sized cultivars (those with flower stems 3’ or more tall), ‘Pfitzeri’ is one of the best, with large clusters of orange-red blossoms. ‘Primrose Beauty’ is a similarly tall selection with primrose-yellow blossoms. ‘Little Maid’ is one of the prettiest of the smaller clones. It is prolific in both growth and in bloom, carrying many clusters of cream-yellow blossoms throughout the summer months. ‘Alcazar’ is a more recent addition with brilliant red flowers on 3’ stems. ‘Vanilla’ is a daintier plant, with narrow leaves suggesting galpinii parentage, 2’ stems and loose clusters of flowers which open yellow and lighten as they age. Hardy to around 0^oF.