Tired of drab Gauteng winters? The indigenous, winter-flowering red hot poker (Kniphofia praecox) is an ideal evergreen perennial for a sunny corner in the winter garden. It can tolerate a fair amount of frost, and needs good well-drained soil.
The red hot poker belongs to a genus of rhizomatous perennials indigenous to Southern Africa. There are about 70 species of red hot poker, or torch lily, and their colours range from orange to yellow, gold, cream and lime green. The leaves of all the varieties are grasslike and many tolerate a damp position on a water’s edge. The flowers are relished by nectar-feeding birds such as the sunbirds and sugarbirds.
The classic winter-flowering red hot poker (Kniphofia praecox) is by far the most popular perennial for gardens. Place them in a mixed border or in large waterside clumps as their rocket-shaped blooms are a winner if planted in threes or fives. They should not be moved or divided unless absolutely necessary. - Saturday Star