Kniphofia 'Winter Cheer'

A large evergreen perennial growing to 1.2m tall and 0.8m wide.

Leaves are long, narrow and bright green. Through the winter months, tall spikes of many tubular red/orange flowers with bright yellow stamens are produced.

Best grown in full sun to partial shade in moist but well-drained soil. Kniphofias will tolerate drier soils but will flower their best with adequate moisture. Both heat and frost tolerant.

Always choose healthy, well-grown plants and plant after autumn rains. Before planting ensure the root ball is saturated and remove the planter bag or pot with minimal root disturbance. Trim any broken roots and plant at the same level as in the container. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball and firm in and water once planted. Make sure plants are watered well until established if planting in a drier period. Plant with some general slow-release fertiliser and then every spring apply an organic-based fertiliser such as blood and bone at a handful per square metre as new growth begins. Planting too closely leads to spindly growth, poor flowering and eventual decline. In a well-planned border, the plants in flower should just touch each other to create a full effect without overcrowding. Plant approximately 80cm to 1m apart.

Apply an organic mulch annually to help suppress weeds and conserve moisture. Feed annually in spring with a balanced fertiliser such as blood and bone at a handful per square metre in spring as new growth begins. Prune off any old flowers after flowering to prolong flowering this can be done with the aid of a pair of secateurs. Divide and replant to revitalise plants. This can be done in autumn to early winter as it enables the new plants to establish while the soil remains relatively warm and the plants can then burst into life the following spring. Dividing can be achieved by lifting the whole clump and placing two garden forks back to back in the middle of the clump and then pushing in and forcing apart with the forks. The resulting clumps can then be divided further either with forks or by hand. The clumps should then be immediately re-planted in their new positions and watered in. Large clumps should be divided every 2-3 years. If they don't get divided then the result is a clump that loses vigour and does not flower to its potential. A barren area in the centre of the clump will appear also with all the good growth around the outside.

Attracts birds to the garden.

Generally trouble free.

African Garden