Product Description
Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' PP31545 (25) Bare Root Plants
PYROMANIA® Collection
Common Name: Red Hot Poker
Bright orange flowers are densely packed onto the flower spike, and flowers are proportionate to the foliage. One of the most compact of the collection.
Members of the PYROMANIA® Collection are a rainbow of hot colors including red, orange, and yellow. The spiky flowers and upright habit gives a very unique drama to your landscape, with rebloom extending the color late into the season. Grass-like foliage provides textural contrast to bold-leaved perennials, like Hibiscus. These tropical looking plants are hardy to either zone 5b or 6, if you provide 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: 2.0-2.5 Feet
Spread: 1.5-2.0 Feet
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
A Fiery Addition to Your Garden
Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' is a striking perennial that can bring vibrant color and unique texture to any garden. This variety of red hot poker, also known as torch lily, is part of the PYROMANIA® Collection and is known for its compact size, bright orange flowers, and long blooming season. Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just starting out, Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' is a relatively low-maintenance plant that can thrive in a variety of conditions.
Characteristics of Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' This robust hybrid red hot poker features dense, upright, 8-inch-long flower spikes with brilliant orange, tubular florets. It is a compact plant, reaching a mature height of 2 to 2.5 feet and spreading to about 2 feet wide. This makes it an excellent choice for smaller gardens or for adding fiery accents to established borders. Kniphofia plants originate from the mountainous areas of southern and tropical Africa, bringing a touch of the exotic to your garden.
The flowers bloom from early to mid-summer and often rebloom in late summer, providing a long season of interest. The grass-like foliage is deep green and provides a lovely contrast to the vibrant orange flowers, adding textural interest to the garden. Imagine the interplay of these spiky orange blooms against the soft textures of ornamental grasses or the bold foliage of neighboring perennials.
Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' is a favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies. It is also deer and rabbit resistant, making it a great choice for gardens that are prone to these visitors. This cultivar is hardy in USDA zones 5a to 9, and it was specifically bred for cold winters in Michigan. Gardeners in zone 5a can successfully grow this plant with some winter protection. It is also tolerant of salt, making it a suitable choice for coastal gardens.
Care Requirements for Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It can tolerate some shade, but flowering may be reduced. While it prefers moist soil, it is quite drought tolerant once established. To ensure your Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' flourishes, follow these care tips:
Sunlight Plant in a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Long day lengths are beneficial for optimal growth and flowering.
Soil Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' can grow in any well-drained soil, but it prefers sandy soil that has been enriched with humus.
Watering Water regularly, especially during the first growing season, but avoid overwatering. Once established, it is fairly drought tolerant.
Fertilizing Fertilize seldomly, if at all, if the soil is of good quality. On poor soils, feed lightly with a general-purpose fertilizer in spring.
Planting Depth When planting, ensure the crown of the plant is no deeper than 3 inches below the soil surface.
Winterizing In colder zones (5 and 6), provide winter protection by mulching with leaves or bark. You can also tie the foliage together in the fall to prevent water from collecting in the crown and freezing.
Pruning Deadhead spent flower spikes to encourage more blooms. Trim leaves in spring to stimulate healthy new growth. Trimming the leaf tips in spring can also help to maintain a tidy appearance and promote healthy foliage.
Pests and Diseases While Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' is generally disease-free, it is important to be aware of potential issues such as rust, Alternaria, Botrytis, and Sclerotium. To prevent these diseases, ensure good air circulation around the plants, avoid overhead watering, and keep the foliage dry. If you notice any signs of disease, treat with an appropriate fungicide.
Uses for Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' in the Garden Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' is a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of ways in the garden. Its upright habit and bright orange flowers make it a great choice for:
- Borders: Add height and visual interest to perennial borders.
- Containers: Grow in containers on patios or balconies.
- Focal Point: Use as a striking focal point in the garden.
- Mass Plantings: Create a dramatic display by planting in groups.
- Cut Flowers: The long-lasting blooms are excellent for cut flower arrangements.
- Naturalistic Settings: Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' can add a vibrant touch to naturalistic gardens or wildflower meadows.
- Water Edges: Its tolerance for moist soil makes it suitable for planting near ponds or streams.
- Rain Gardens: Include Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' in rain gardens to add color and texture to these beneficial landscape features.
With its dramatic, tropical look, Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' can transform a garden space. Imagine a cluster of these fiery torches rising above a sea of green foliage, their vibrant blooms attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
Companion Plants for Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' pairs well with a variety of other perennials. Some good companions include:
- Achillea (yarrows): The soft textures and diverse colors of yarrows complement the bold form and fiery hues of Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze'.
- Helenium Autumnale (sneezeweed): Combine Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' with the warm colors of sneezeweed for a late-summer spectacle.
- Hemerocallis (daylilies): The contrasting forms and overlapping bloom times of daylilies and red hot pokers create a dynamic display.
- Rudbeckia (coneflowers): Plant Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' alongside coneflowers for a vibrant and pollinator-friendly combination.
- Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass): The delicate texture of Mexican feather grass provides a beautiful contrast to the bold form of Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze'.
- Salvia yangii (Russian Sage): The airy blue flowers of Russian sage create a cool counterpoint to the fiery orange blooms of Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze'.
- Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena): The vertical accents of tall verbena and Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' add height and structure to the garden.
- Aruncus 'Chantilly Lace': The graceful, plume-like flowers of Aruncus 'Chantilly Lace' create a soft and romantic backdrop for the fiery Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze'.
- Coreopsis 'Crazy Cayenne': Combine the vibrant orange of Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' with the fiery red and yellow of Coreopsis 'Crazy Cayenne' for a hot-colored spectacle.
- Echinacea 'Yellow My Darling': The cheerful yellow blooms of Echinacea 'Yellow My Darling' provide a sunny contrast to the fiery orange of Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze'.
- Gypsophila FESTIVAL STAR®: The delicate white flowers of Gypsophila FESTIVAL STAR® create a cloud-like effect that softens the bold form of Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze'.
- Leucanthemum DAISY MAY®: The classic white daisies of Leucanthemum DAISY MAY® provide a fresh and cheerful contrast to the fiery orange blooms of Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze'.
Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' is a fantastic addition to any garden. Its fiery orange flowers, compact size, and low-maintenance nature make it a versatile and rewarding plant to grow. This cultivar is particularly well-suited for smaller gardens or for adding vibrant accents to borders. Its long blooming season, with the potential for rebloom, ensures a lasting display of color. The unique, upright form of the flower spikes adds architectural interest, while the grass-like foliage provides textural contrast. Whether you are looking to add a pop of color to your border, create a dramatic focal point, or attract pollinators to your garden, Kniphofia 'Orange Blaze' is an excellent choice. With its hardiness, drought tolerance, and resistance to deer and rabbits, it is a reliable performer that can bring years of enjoyment.
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!
