RED-HOT POKERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 756, 31 August 1929, Page 36

RED-HOT POKERS

ORNAMENTAL PLANTS | Tlie torch lilies or “red hot pokers,” ■ are botanically known as kniphofias, I after Kniphof, a professor of medicine j at Efurt in the ISth century. Some 1 authorities call them tritomas, an ! older name, but certainly less cumber- ! some. These plants are becoming I more popular every year, as it has ! been discovered that the flowers are | very useful for decorative purposes. : The older species were rather coarse | for this work, but lately a race has ! been, evolved which produces medium | sized blooms in great variety. They j are mostly summer and autumn bloom-

ing plants, and as the flowers last well when cut and placed in water, they lend themselves to the decoration of large halls, churches, etc. The plants are very easy to grow, and are effective in shrubberies or near trees vTien given a little attention in the way of cultivation during the first season, or two. It is not necessary to divide and replant the clumps every season, and as long as they flower well, they need not be disturbed. It is, however, a good plan to out off the foliage in winter and to clean out the dead leaves, etc., which are likely to become a harbour for snails and slugs. A good sprinkliug of lime at that season helps to get rid of these pests. Apart from this treatment very little cultivation is necessary though a good watering occasionally in dry weather helps to improve their flowering. A good stiff soil suits them best, but they are not fastidious in that respect. A few of the best kinds are as follow; Kniphofia Nobilis.—A grower bearing massive spikes of very strong bloom in mid-summer. Five feet high. K. Goldelse.—This is a medium sized specie, growing about three feet high, and bearing in early summer a number of spikes of bloom of a golden yellow* colour. K. Ensifolia. —This is also a yellow flowered variety with large, handsome spikes of bloom. It is also valuable from the fact that it blooms in midwinter when flowers are scarce. It is. however, only suitable for the mild districts. Where heavy frosts are experienced the flower spikes are often destroyed before they have properly developed. K. Nelson:.—For small gardens this is about the best kind to grow. It makes grass-like foliage, and produces small flame coloured spikes of bloom on stems about 15 inches in length. It flowers during autumn, and the flowers are very suitable for cutting. The nurserymen’s catalogue contain a great many other varieties all worth a trial in gardens where space can be devoted to them.