Herons, Giggers Green Road, Aldington, Kent, TN25 7BU
Tel/Fax: 01233 720907
Perennial. Also known as Torch Lily, Tritoma and Flaming Swords. Clumps of leave bearing stems with clusters or red and yellow tubular flowers at the top. Spectacular plant, looking exactly like its name suggests. Flowers July to September. Height 2 - 3 ft (30 - 60 cm). Its original scientific name was tritoma but this was changed in 1794 to Kniphofia in honour of Johan Hieronymous Kniphof, who published a famous illustrated herbal in 1764.
Folklore holds that if the plant bloomed twice in a year then a death in the family was imminent. The plant first came to England in 1770 from South Africa. It wasn't common in English gardens, though, until after 1848 when Kew Gardens planted some outdoors and it was discovered how hardy they were.
Plant in full sun or partial shade. Cut down dead flower spikes. Don't cut down foliage in autumn. In cold areas, loosely tie the leaves over the crown in autumn or offer some other protection to the plant for winter. Divide every 5 - 6 years in spring.
Butterfly plant.