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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Asphodelaceae (~Liliaceae) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Red & Yellow |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 3-4 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 0-10° F |
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Kniphofia uvaria 'Blaze' (Red Hot Poker) - This is a perennial that forms dense clumps of upright, finely-toothed leaves to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide. In the spring and summer, spikes of tubular flowers stand above the foliage. Flowers emerge from top to bottom and because the buds tend to be darker, the upper portion of the "torch" can be red while the bottom is yellow. Plant in well-drained soils and give some supplemental irrigation in summer to encourage flower formation. Hardy to below 15 ° F (to around 0° F if it is mulched or the foliage is retained to protect the growth crown). 'Blaze' was a selection San Marcos Growers made several years ago from a very nice K. uvaria found in our seed crop of K. uvaria. 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 specific epithet derives from an old Linnaean name for the plant (Aloe uvaria), from the Latin word 'uva' meaning "grape" in reference to the resemblance to the clusters of the fruits hanging on the stems.
The information on this page is based on research conducted about this plant in the San Marcos Growers library, from online sources, and from observations made of the crops growing in our nursery, plants in the nursery's garden and those in other gardens where we may have observed it. We also have incorporated comments received from others and welcome getting feedback from those who may have additional information, particularly if this information includes cultural information that would aid others in growing Kniphofia uvaria 'Blaze'. |
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