Red Hot Poker Plant Cutting Back
- We have mostly herbaceous plants and are preparing for the annual pre-winter cut-back of our garden. Something new we added this summer is a patch of Red Hot Poker (Kniphofias) surrounded by Sedum Angelina.
- On the Red Hot Poker plant; keep in a sunny spot that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of sun a day. Red hot poker is not fussy about soil type, but prefers life on the dry side so keep it away from poorly drained locations.
- All I have done to the plant is trim the dead leaves and a bit of general husbandry, I did not touch anything near the heart of the plant. Have I got a problem? If so what can I do / not do? On plant Kniphofia uvaria. 26 Jun, 2008; Featured on: red hot pokers.
By Ladyessex1
Anyway, usually, the first one or two I trim the leaves back neatly to the crown (or until I see green), then I lose all patience and trim them like I do liriope (gather all the brown leaves and crew cut them). I did manage to trim back a somewhat 'evergreen' red hot poker once, but it managed to make itself presentable by summer. Red Hot Poker Plant Pruning Red hot poker blossoms open from bottom to top over the course of several days, changing color as they mature; however, to ensure that your plant produces as many.
Leigh-on-Sea Essex, United Kingdom
Red Hot Poker
I want to dig it up and put it elsewhere in the garden as it gets eaten alive in amongst the shrubbery, when would be the best time to move it :o)) xx Jackie xx
- 19 Oct, 2012
Answers
I have found them very forgiving and will survive being moved at any time but now is a very good time. I split mine every three years or so when they start to look like mini yuccas, you can see a lot of stem. Every year at this time or earlier if I have the time, I pull the leaves together and tie them round with garden wire. I cut off the foliage 2 inches above the tie. It protects next years flowers and the border looks a lot tidier. I also remove any rotting or torn leaves and then mulch them with a couple of inches of home made compost. When I dig them up to split them or move them I find the roots are very long. I chop off the excess and leave a good 4-6' of main stem with lots of smaller roots on it. Plant them with the soil reaching the top of the bare root. Sprinkle bone meal in the hole and mix it in with the fork. It helps the plant to establish new roots. Good luck.
Agree with Scotsgran. I also found mine eaten by slugs this year. They ate the middle of the stem and it collapsed, giving them the flowering part to feast on!
Its birds who spoil the flowers on our red hot pokers. We wondered why they were being so destructive but apparently its because they are after the nectar. Birds are sweet toothed too. The woodpeckers and tits love to hang on the flower heads and sip their fill. I've just posted a like this before you dig them up they will be easier to move.
Thanks for the info Scotsgran & Kildermorie, I know what I will be doing at the weekend.
Scotsgran. I'm a little confused with your last part of the comment......
(I've just posted a like before you dig them up they will be easier to move)?? What do you mean??
xx Jackie xx
Sorry Ladyessex, my brain runs away ahead of my fingers at times. It should read 'I have just posted a photo of how I overwinter my kniphofias. If you tie up and trim your plants as I have done they will be easier to move.' Sorry for confusing you. Old age doen't come by itself.
LOL, don't worry, I too have a Muddly Brain sometimes too. xx Jackie xx
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By Shirley_tulip
West Sussex, United Kingdom
Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker). Having cut the old flowering spikes down as low as possible, I am confused by the advice re. the foliage. Should it be cut back by a half, a third or left as it is? All looks very shabby now!
On plant Kniphofia
Red Hot Poker Plant Cutting Backdrop
- 20 Oct, 2013
Answers
Never touch ours until it withers away over Winter. Some are evergreen and only the dead leaves should be removed.
Many thanks Owdboggy ... in that case I shall just cut off any dead leaves.
I was listening to gqt on the bbci and I think it was Matt Biggs saying that there is no reason to cut back herbaceous perrenials except for cosmetic reasons
Thanks for that info. Pam ...
Shabby ? that looks absolutely great to me !!!!
Looks really healthy and in a well drained spot so should do really well you can give it a haircut in early spring to tidy it up about 12 inches from the base , I have in the past tied mine up over winter to protect the crown of the plant especially if snow is on its way.
Gg
Ok Badfish - substitute shabby for untidy then!
Gg - should any snow be forecast for the South coast I shall tie the foliage up - thanks for that tip.
I'm almost certain, but can't find the bloomin' thing - that Scotsgran did a blog a long while back about how she treats her Kniphofia for winter. Hers' has been in the family for many, many years. Maybe she deleted it.
She cuts hers back and ties them up to protect the emerging flower buds.
She did indeed Scottish, on 31/8/2013 and I actually commented and added it to my favourites! I appear to have deleted it when I had to clear stuff off the computer. No worries, I shall add it again. Thanks for the help ... :o)
How do you delete a kniphofia? :-)
Andrew - You put it in a Dalek composter to exterminate it!!!
Ah, now I understand
You don't have to be mad to be on GoY ... but it helps!
Delete button's one of the best!
Shirley - I'm in the right place then!
Red Hot Poker Plant Cutting Backs
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