Kniphofia ‘Royal Standard’ (Red Hot Poker)

Award-winning Kniphofia ‘Royal Standard’ (Red Hot Poker) is a robust perennial with bronze stems bearing dense spikes of bright yellow, tubular flowers opening from scarlet buds from early to mid-summer. Changing color as the flower matures, this dramatic 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 a tufted clump of narrow, dark foliage. Great for perennial borders or prairies.

• Grows up to 3-4 ft. high (90-120 cm) with a spread of 2-3 ft. (60-90 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
• Drought, deer, 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 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.
• Propagate by division of established clumps in late spring. Propagate by taking offshoots from the crown