Red Hot Poker Plant - A MUST HAVE!!

This post is dedicated to a plant that really takes my breath away. Kniphofia uvaria, known as a torch lily or red hot poker plant is cold hardy and so so beautiful. It appears this plant can handle temperatures down to at least -10F. I can vouch that it's definitely hardy to at least the single digits and has no problem in NYC if you have good drainage and full sun.

The grassy part of the plant is nice enough in the landscape (it kind of has a yucca appearance), but the blooms are the reason to grow this plant. Mine will bloom sporadically through the warm months, but the biggest show is in early summer. This plant will not perform well in shade, but is the perfect solution to a dry and sunny part of your yard that needs a plant that thrives on neglect. It pairs beautifully with yuccas and agave!

There are some great cultivars out there for increased cold hardiness and bloom time, so definitely look into those before purchasing to make sure you have the best for your growing situation. I believe this one is "Hot and Cold" but I regretfully lost the tag years ago.

These photos were taken in June.