Kniphofia

The genus Kniphofia, or Tritoma (Kniphofia), includes more than 70 species of herbaceous perennial rhizomatous plants with characteristic final lush, erect peduncles, spike-shaped inflorescences that bloom from June to October. Drooping flowers tubular, with a wide bend down. Species differ in the size and shape of leaves, most of them are narrow (like grasses), while others are wide. Kniphofia uvaria has very long, lanceolate leaves bent to the ground, with parallel venation. Peduncles from 45 to 200 cm high, leafless rigid erect, with long cylindrical inflorescences of small tubular orangish-red flowers. From this species, many varieties and garden forms are obtained - with larger inflorescences, overall sizes-and various hybrids. Among them is 'John Benari' with orange flowers blooming in August and September; 'Cobra' and 'Golden Scallop' - late blooming; 'Maid of Orleans' is characterized by creamy yellow and white-hued flowers that bloom all summer long; 'Royal standard' with yellow and scarlet-red flowers, in June-July. Kniphofia caulescens has bluish-green leaves growing from the base of the peduncle, and cylindrical or oval inflorescences, first pink, then yellow, bloom in late summer. Among other species known: Kniphofia modesta (K. modesta) with creamy-white inflorescences with pink tips and early (in June-July) flowering; Kniphofia Tunbergii (K. tunbergii) with yellow spikes of flowers and rather early flowering (July-September); Kniphofia Galpinii (K. galpinii) with orangish-yellow flowers and late (August-September) flowering. Hybrid varieties and garden forms are grouped by flowering time. Early: 'Alcazar' with orange flowers; 'Bee Sunset' with bright orange spike-shaped inflorescences; 'Other golden' with light yellow flowers; 'Springtime' with creamy yellow and red flowers. Mid-early: 'Bee Lemon' with yellow flowers and 'Samuel's Sensation' with bright red spikes-inflorescences. Late blooming: Nelson's Kniphofia majora (K. nelsonii major) with bright red flowers.

The genus Kniphofia, or Tritoma (Kniphofia), includes more than 70 species of herbaceous perennial rhizomatous plants with characteristic final lush, erect peduncles, spike-shaped inflorescences that bloom from June to October. Drooping flowers tubular, with a wide bend down. Species differ in the size and shape of leaves, most of them are narrow (like grasses), while others are wide.

Kniphofia uvaria has very long, lanceolate leaves bent to the ground, with parallel venation. Peduncles from 45 to 200 cm high, leafless rigid erect, with long cylindrical inflorescences of small tubular orangish-red flowers. From this species, many varieties and garden forms are obtained - with larger inflorescences, overall sizes-and various hybrids. Among them is 'John Benari' with orange flowers blooming in August and September; 'Cobra' and 'Golden Scallop' - late blooming; 'Maid of Orleans' is characterized by creamy yellow and white-hued flowers that bloom all summer long; 'Royal standard' with yellow and scarlet-red flowers, in June-July.

Kniphofia caulescens has bluish-green leaves growing from the base of the peduncle, and cylindrical or oval inflorescences, first pink, then yellow, bloom in late summer.

Among other species known: Kniphofia modesta (K. modesta) with creamy-white inflorescences with pink tips and early (in June-July) flowering; Kniphofia Tunbergii (K. tunbergii) with yellow spikes of flowers and rather early flowering (July-September); Kniphofia Galpinii (K. galpinii) with orangish-yellow flowers and late (August-September) flowering.

Hybrid varieties and garden forms are grouped by flowering time. Early: 'Alcazar' with orange flowers; 'Bee Sunset' with bright orange spike-shaped inflorescences; 'Other golden' with light yellow flowers; 'Springtime' with creamy yellow and red flowers. Mid-early: 'Bee Lemon' with yellow flowers and 'Samuel's Sensation' with bright red spikes-inflorescences. Late blooming: Nelson's Kniphofia majora (K. nelsonii major) with bright red flowers.

Cultivation

Kniphofia is used for single and group plantings on lawns, in mixborders, as well as for cutting. It is planted in the ground in September-October (in areas with a cold climate) or in spring. Prefers light, fertile, well-drained moist soil, does not like too wet or with poor drainage. Planting holes should be deep, so that lush branched roots can be freely placed. When planting, organic fertilizers are added. It is also recommended to carry out top dressing with organic fertilizer during the growing season - once every 20-30 days. In the south, Kniphofia winters in the open ground, in the middle zone plants are well covered for the winter, in the northern ones - the rhizomes are dug up and stored in a cool room.

Kniphofia is used for single and group plantings on lawns, in mixborders, as well as for cutting. It is planted in the ground in September-October (in areas with a cold climate) or in spring. Prefers light, fertile, well-drained moist soil, does not like too wet or with poor drainage. Planting holes should be deep, so that lush branched roots can be freely placed. When planting, organic fertilizers are added.

It is also recommended to carry out top dressing with organic fertilizer during the growing season - once every 20-30 days. In the south, Kniphofia winters in the open ground, in the middle zone plants are well covered for the winter, in the northern ones - the rhizomes are dug up and stored in a cool room.

Location

For species and varieties of Kniphofia, very sunny places are preferred.

Temperature

These are fairly stable plants that, when mulching the soil surface with straw, leaves or other material (mainly for young plants), tolerate a fairly low temperature. The root system is sensitive to cold.

Watering

Although these plants tolerate drought well, it is recommended to water them abundantly in summer, avoiding stagnation of water in the soil.

Care

At the end of flowering, the peduncles are cut off at the root to allow other inflorescences to develop. In late autumn and early winter, the leaves are protected from frost.

Reproduction

Propagate by dividing the bush (in spring) and sowing seeds in a greenhouse. The easiest way is to divide the bush in April, after which the divided parts are immediately planted in the ground. In April, the seeds are sown directly into the ground. After germination, the shoots are thinned out. Planting in a permanent place is usually carried out next spring.

Diseases

Thrips affect the leaves and flowers, causing them to deform, discolor, and stain. Pests are eliminated with the help of appropriate insecticidal preparations.

Acquisition

Seeds are bought in specialized companies, gardening centers and nurseries. Often on sale is a mixture of different varieties, very attractive in mixborders. Make sure that the seeds are fresh by checking the expiration date on the package. Seedlings are also sold in cups.