Kniphofia
‘Ice Queen’
at Digging Dog

Kniphofia

Torch Lily or Red Hot Poker

“Red Hot Poker” is the local nickname for these bold, handsome natives of Madagascar and tropical South Africa. Brought to England in 1707, they were kept as greenhouse treasures until 1848, when someone had the bright idea of planting them outdoors, and their abiding hardiness was discovered.

The old-fashioned orange and yellow form has survived years of neglect in abandoned gardens here on the coast; the new hybrids and species we offer, in versatile creamy yellows, chartreuses, soft melons and bolder colors, are more suitable to modern schemes, but are just as hardy and reliable. The thick, almost succulent leaf blades are evergreen, and of interest even when the cylindrical flower spikes are absent. Heat and drought tolerant.

Kniphofia ‘Ice Queen’ 

Selected by Alan Bloom, this upright species is remarkably robust. The deep green foliage is broad and straplike, the flower stalks are thick and sturdy, and the vibrant chartreuse buds open into 6 in. lime-yellow flowers, which fade to light yellow. We plant ‘Ice Queen’ beside Anemone ‘Alice’ for an unusual but delightful combination with the late blooming pink flowers.

Blooms June–August.

Size: 4' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 6.

Kniphofia Ice Queen (p-0409)
Each $11.00
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