Tritoma (Kniphofia) is a perennial plant that shoots from short underground rhizomes. It produces rosettes of long, narrow, grey-green or dark green leaves. Tall, thick stalks carrying clusters of tubular flowers shoot from the rosettes. Tritoma flower clusters resemble a flaming torch, hence one of its common names - torch lily. Most varieties take on fire-related colours - orange, yellow, red, or creamy-white. Those spectacular, energizing colours give the plant an exotic flair. Inflorescences that develop from bottom to top have protruding anthers. They not only adorn the borders and lawns, but attract bees and butterflies too. Red hot poker, as this plant is also called, develops from June to September, with the peak of the flowering period falling in July and August. It produces straight, up to 120 centimetres tall stems that, on average, seldom grow taller than 60 to 70 centimetres. The appearance of the plant adds character to every composition and a bit of tropical charm. We recommend growing tritoma at showcase spots, they look great at walls, parapets, and fences. Their spectacular charm can also adorn lawn edges. It fits both rustic and modern garden arrangements, where it looks particularly terrific in company of ornamental grasses and shrubs, e.g. barberry. You can also grow this species in pots.
Kniphofia needs a sunny, warm, and sheltered situation. It is only partially hardy and must be covered with a thick layer of mulch or conifer twigs before the winter. Plants of that species thrive in fertile, humous, permeable soil that should also be slightly acidic. Weed, cultivate, and enrich the soil with organic plant food before the planting. Apply a drainage layer in thick, heavy soil. Spring and early autumn are the optimal time for planting tritoma rhizomes. Plant those 6 to 8 centimetres deep, 50 to 60 centimetres apart. Growing a group of about a dozen tritomas brings best decorative results. Taking care of tritoma is easy. Water it during drought periods. This plant responds very well to organic and mineral fertilization with increased phosphorus and potassium dose. Removing wilted inflorescences is considered a good practice, as it stimulates plants to produce more flowers.
One package contains one tritoma seedling of the colour variety mix. Colours are selected randomly.
- Height: up to 120 cm
- Use: ornamental - garden, pots
- Blooming time: June to September
- Growth form: erect flower stalks, leaf rosettes
- Flower colour: orange, yellow, red, creamy-white
- Vegetation form: perennial
- Foliage: long, narrow, grey-green or dark green
- Flower type: tubular, gathered in clusters
- Site: fertile, humous, permeable, slightly acidic soil
- Quantity: 1
