Kniphofia 'Little Maid'

red hot poker

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: August to September
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Bright and imposing, kniphofias lend height, vibrancy and drama to any garden. 'Little Maid' produces slender spikes of pale yellow tubular flowers fading to ivory above clumps of evergreen, strap-like leaves from August to September. Originally from South Africa, the elegant, torch-like flowers of kniphofia make vertical accents in a sunny border and look particularly good as part of a scheme based on 'hot' colours. They also look great against a background of ornamental grasses. More compact than other varieties, 'Little Maid' is ideal for smaller gardens. An easy and undemanding plant.
  
  
• Garden care: In autumn remove and compost the faded, flower spikes and apply a deep, dry mulch around the crown of the plant. Cut back to the ground in spring to keep the foliage fresh-looking. Divide and re-plant overcrowded colonies in spring.