Product Description
Kniphofia 'High Roller' PP32295 (25) Bare Root Plants
Common Name: Red Hot Poker
The sky's the limit on this tropical looking plant! Coral orange flowers open creamy white on perfectly formed spikes. The beautiful bicolor flowers are produced above a large clump of foliage and blooms for many weeks beginning in early to midsummer.
This plant may look exotic, but it's hardy to our Michigan zone 6, heavy snowfall winters, possibly hardier with winter mulch and protection.
Commonly called Red Hot Poker or Torch Lily for their tall flower spikes. These South Africa natives offer tremendous garden value by combining grass-like foliage with tall flower scapes. An excellent perennial for the middle of the border.
Kniphofia is a sun lover that likes it hot and dry, though a good supply of water is appreciated when blooming. It can be grown in any well-drained soil.
Kniphofia is evergreen in mild regions and herbaceous in cooler zones. In both areas, it will benefit by having its leaf tips trimmed in the spring to stimulate healthy, new growth. In zones 4-6, the foliage can be tied up over the crown of the plant in the fall to exclude water from settling there and freezing, which would be deadly.
Height: 36.0-48.0 Inches
Spread: 24.0-28.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 5B,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Gold/Orange Shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Low to Average Water Needs
Poor to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early to Late Summer
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Hummingbirds
Bee Friendly
Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Cut Flower, Drought Tolerant, Salt Tolerant
Ignite Your Garden with Fiery Elegance
Kniphofia 'High Roller' is a stunningly bright perennial, bringing an exotic touch and architectural flair to gardens with its vibrant, torch-like flower spikes and graceful foliage. This comprehensive guide explores the captivating characteristics, straightforward care requirements, and diverse uses of this remarkable plant, equipping gardening enthusiasts of all levels with the knowledge to cultivate it successfully.
Characteristics of Kniphofia 'High Roller' Kniphofia 'High Roller', a cultivar of Red Hot Poker, also known as Torch Lily, is a standout in gardens for its vivid flowers and architectural form. It is known for its tall, vibrant flower spikes and slender, grass-like foliage. Here is a closer look at its key features:
- Flowers: The most captivating feature of Kniphofia 'High Roller' is its tall flower spikes, which can reach up to 4 feet in height. The flowers exhibit a mesmerizing bicolor effect, with coral to red tubular florets that create a fiery display. These eye-catching flower spikes emerge from a base of arching, linear leaves, adding vertical interest to the garden. What is more, the flowers undergo a captivating transformation, starting as coral orange and gradually fading to a creamy white as they mature. This unique color transition adds another layer of visual interest to this already striking plant.
- Foliage: The foliage consists of narrow, green, grass-like leaves that form a lush base for the dramatic flower spikes. The foliage remains green throughout the year, providing a consistent and attractive backdrop for the vibrant blooms.
- Size: This compact selection typically reaches a height of 3 to 4 feet, with a spread of 2 to 3 feet, making it suitable for smaller gardens or containers.
- Hardiness: Kniphofia 'High Roller' is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, tolerating a range of climates. It may even prove hardier with the addition of winter mulch and protection.
- Wildlife: The flowers are a magnet for pollinators, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden. It is also relatively resistant to deer and rabbits.
- Bloom Time and Growth Rate: This captivating perennial blooms from July to September, providing late-season color and interest. It grows at a medium rate, reaching maturity within a few years.
Care Requirements for Kniphofia 'High Roller' Kniphofia 'High Roller' is a relatively low-maintenance plant, but providing the right growing conditions will ensure its optimal health and flowering. Here are some essential care tips:
- Light: This sun-loving plant thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. It can tolerate some light shade, especially in hot climates, but may produce fewer flowers.
- Soil: Kniphofia 'High Roller' prefers well-drained soil and is adaptable to a range of soil types. It is best grown in humus-rich, evenly moist soils.
- Water: While moderately drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from regular watering, especially during dry spells. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent root rot.
- Fertilizer: Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring to encourage strong growth and flowering.
- Pruning: Deadhead spent flower spikes to encourage more blooms. Cut back foliage in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. In cooler climates (zones 5 and 6), it is recommended to tie up the foliage in the fall to prevent water from settling into the base of the plant and freezing, which can damage the crown.
- Mulching: Mulch around the plants to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. However, avoid mulching too heavily around the plant's crown, as this can lead to rot. In cooler zones, a healthy application of mulch around the base of the plant can provide added protection from adverse cold and windy weather conditions.
Uses for Kniphofia 'High Roller' Kniphofia 'High Roller' is a versatile plant that can be used in various ways to enhance your garden. Its tremendous garden value comes from the combination of attractive foliage and flower spikes. Here are some popular uses:
- Borders and Beds: Its upright habit and fiery colors make it an excellent addition to perennial borders and flower beds, adding height and drama.
- Accent Plant: The unique form and vibrant colors of Kniphofia 'High Roller' make it a striking accent plant, drawing attention and creating focal points in the landscape.
- Mass Plantings: Planting 'High Roller' in groups creates a bold and dramatic statement, especially when combined with contrasting foliage or flowers. Consider pairing it with companion plants such as Campanula, Achillea, Eryngium, and Leucanthemum for a stunning display. For a Mediterranean feel, combine it with Lavandula and Helichrysum.
- Container Plantings: This cultivar is also well-suited for container plantings, adding a touch of the exotic to patios and decks.
- Cut Flowers: The long-lasting blooms of Kniphofia 'High Roller' make it a popular choice for cut flower arrangements, adding vertical interest and vibrant color.
Kniphofia 'High Roller' is a remarkable perennial that offers a unique combination of beauty, hardiness, and versatility. Its vibrant, color-changing flower spikes, graceful foliage, and adaptability to different climates make it a standout choice for gardeners of all levels. Whether used as a focal point in a border, a dramatic accent in a container, or a striking element in a cut flower arrangement, Kniphofia 'High Roller' is sure to ignite your garden with fiery elegance. With its relatively low-maintenance nature and ability to attract pollinators, this captivating plant is a must-have for any garden enthusiast seeking to add a touch of the exotic to their landscape.
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!
