Product Description
Kniphofia 'Border Ballet'Common Name: red-hot poker, torch lilies
Zones 5 to 8.
Full Sun to partial sun.
Mature height is 18 to 24 inches. Spreads to 18 to 24 inches wide.
Compact, upright, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial .
Flowers emerge in a variety of colors, including orange, red, pink, yellow and creamy pastels, above clumps of coarse, sword-shaped, bluish-green leaves. Each flower head is broad at the top but tapered at the base, thus resembling a torch or poker. Plants primarily flower in June and July, with some continued rebloom into September in optimum conditions.
Kniphofia will benefit by having its leaf tips trimmed in the spring to stimulate healthy, new growth. Deadheading will prolong the blooming period. After the plant is finished flowering, the sword-shaped leaves should be cut back by half to stimulate new leaf growth.
Kniphofias prefers rich, humus soils, but will grow in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. A sun lover that likes it hot and dry, Kniphofia will benefit from a good supply of water when blooming. Intolerant of wet, heavy soils, particularly in winter. Locate in areas protected from wind. Crowns benefit from winter protection in USDA Zones 5 and 6. A winter mulch or tying leaves together to form a canopy over the crown prevents water from settling in the crown and freezing. Established clumps are best left undisturbed.
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system, drought tolerant thereafter. Attributes: border plant, containers, cut flower, drought and salt tolerant. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer and rabbit resistant.
Ten (10) plants in quart containers per flat (or tray).
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
