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Products > Kniphofia thomsonii   Kniphofia thomsonii - Alpine Poker    [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Perennial Family: Asphodelaceae (~Liliaceae) Origin: Africa, Central (Africa) Flower Color: Apricot Bloomtime: Summer Height: 3-5 feet Width: 2-4 feet Exposure: Sun or Shade Drought Tolerant: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F Kniphofia thomsonii (Alpine Poker) - This Kniphofia, the only alpine in the genus, is an East African species that occurs up to about 13,000 ft on Mount Kilimanjaro. It grows to only about 3 ft tall in the wild, but in cultivation the inflorescences can reach 5 ft. The keel-shaped leaves are a glaucus blue green. The orange flowers are widely scattered (lax) on the last 18" of the inflorescence. This plant usually favors damp soil, but can also grow in fairly dry situations. The name Kniphofia honors Johann Hieronymus Kniphof (1704 -1763), a German physician and botanist. The pronunciation of this genus is often argued about and while most continue to use the easiest to pronounce versions such as ny-FOE-fee-ah or nee-FOF-ee-a, others argue correctly that the name should follow the pronunciation of the name it commemorates but even for this there are differences of opinion owing to different German regional dialects - one such pronunciation often noted as correct is nip-HOFF-ee-uh while another that is particularly hard to pronounce is k-nip-HOF-ia. Keeping it simple we still use ny-FOE-fee-ah.  The description above is based on our research and observations of this plant growing in our nursery and in our own and other Santa Barbara gardens. We would appreciate hearing from anyone who has additional information or disagrees with what we have written.