Red Hot Poker Kniphofia Uvaria Royal Castle Hybrids is an impressive perennial native to the high grassy slopes of South Africa's Drakensberg Mountains. Red Hot Poker seeds can be started indoors, and the seedling can be transplanted outdoors after last frost. Also called Torch Lily and Tritoma, Kniphofia Uvaria Royal Castle Hybrids plant has sword-shaped leaves, tall stems, and unique flowers that have colors changing white to yellow then orange and finally red, and all colors can appear at once because 2 or 3 flowers can develop on a single bloom stalk. The tubular flowers of Red Hot Poker are very attractive to hummingbirds.
Red Hot Poker looks its best when grown in clumps or planted with daylilies or echinops, and its stately flowers provide a dramatic display, when grown in a space where the entire plant is visible. Torch Lily looks fabulous when are planted directly in front of an evergreen background, or as a stand alone specimen, it is sure to turn heads. Uvaria Royal Castle Hybrids seeds are easy to grow, but the seeds need a cold treatment, so they have to be kept in a refrigerator rolled in the dump paper towel inside the plastic ziploc bag for 4 weeks prior sowing. The established Red Hot Poker is drought and heat tolerant.
PLANT PROFILE
Season: Perennial
Height: 36-40 Inches
Bloom Season: Summer/Fall
Environment: Sun
Soil Type: Rich/Average/Poor/Moist well-drained, pH 5.8-7.0
USDA Zones: 5-10
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Sow Indoors: Winter/Spring (6-8 weeks before last frost)
Sow Outdoors: Spring
Seed Depth: 1/16 Inch
Germination Time: 21-28 Days
