Create Your Garden

Kniphofia ‘Bees’ Sunset’ (Red Hot Poker)

Red Hot Poker 'Bees' Sunset', Poker Plant 'Bees' Sunset', Torch Lily 'Bees' Sunset', Tritoma 'Bees' Sunset'

AGM Award
Kniphofia 'Bees' Sunset', Red Hot Poker 'Bees' Sunset', Poker Plant 'Bees' Sunset', Torch Lily 'Bees' Sunset', Tritoma 'Bees' Sunset', orange flowers, yellow flowers, late summer perennial

One of the most outstanding Red Hot Pokers, Kniphofia ‘Bees’ Sunset’ features bronzed stems bearing slender, terminal spikes of tubular, rich golden yellow flowers streaked deep apricot from early to late summer

  • Changing color as the flower matures, this robust perennial displays the deepest shades in bud and fades as the flower opens, resulting in a bicolor look, adding interesting splashes of color to any sunny garden. The stout flowering scapes rise proudly above tufted clumps of long, narrow, arching, mid-green leaves.
  • Growing up to 3-4 ft. high (90-120 cm) with a spread of 18-24 in. (45-60 cm), this Red Hot Poker enjoys a sturdy stem. However, some protection from strong winds would be recommended. 
  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • This rhizomatous perennial performs best in full sun, in a sandy soil that has been enriched with humus. However, any deep, moist but well-drained soil will do. It can tolerate partial shade, but flowering will be reduced. Good drainage is essential to prevent crown rot
  • Droughtdeer and rabbit tolerant, Kniphofias attract butterflies and are a favorite of hummingbirds.
  • Virtually disease free
  • Kniphofias provide interesting vertical accents in the garden, among other summer-blooming perennials. They look at their best with Achillea (yarrows), Helenium Autumnale (sneezeweed), Hemerocallis (daylilies), and Rudbeckia (coneflowers).
  • While primarily used in perennial borders, Red Hot Pokers are also well suited to naturalistic settings, water edges, or exotic style combinations. Plant them in front of an evergreen background, or as a stand-alone specimen – and be sure they will draw the attention of all onlookers. Never plant your Red Hot Pokers with their crown deeper than 3 in. (7 cm).
  • Remove spent flower spikes to encourage more bloom and protect their crowns in winter in hardiness 6.
  • The evergreen foliage tends to suffer in the winter months. You may want to tie foliage together in the fall to prevent water from entering the crown of the plant. Alternatively, you may cut the foliage off at the base in late fall.
  • Should be planted in the spring or in the fall.
  • Can be propagated by division or be grown from seed. Division should be done in the spring or late fall

Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Heat Zones 6 - 9
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Xanthorrhoeaceae
Genus Kniphofia
Common names Torch Lily, Red Hot Poker
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker)
Not sure which Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Kniphofia ‘Lucky Lemons’ (Red Hot Poker)
Kniphofia ‘Creamsicle’ (Red Hot Poker)
Kniphofia ‘Fire Glow’ (Red Hot Poker)
Kniphofia uvaria (Red Hot Poker)
Kniphofia ‘Rocket’s Red Glare’ (Red Hot Poker)
Kniphofia ‘Solar Flare’ (Red Hot Poker)

Recommended Companion Plants

Anemanthele lessoniana (New Zealand Wind Grass)
Lobelia x speciosa ‘Vedrariensis’ (Cardinal Flower)
Stipa calamagrostis (Spear Grass)
Phlomis russeliana (Jerusalem Sage)
Canna ‘Wyoming’ (Canna Lily)
Helenium ‘Rubinzwerg’ (Sneezeweed)
Helenium ‘Sahin’s Early Flowerer’ (Sneezeweed)
Salvia x sylvestris ‘Mainacht’ (Wood Sage)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Hummingbird
Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker)
Best Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Heat Zones 6 - 9
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Xanthorrhoeaceae
Genus Kniphofia
Common names Torch Lily, Red Hot Poker
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Average
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker)
Not sure which Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Kniphofia ‘Bees’ Sunset’ (Red Hot Poker) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Kniphofia ‘Bees’ Sunset’ (Red Hot Poker) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone