Red-hot poker (Kniphofia 'Bressingham Comet')
Kniphofia 'Bressingham Comet' is a striking Red-hot poker producing orange/red flowers aging to yellow, ideal for sunny, well-drained borders.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The vibrant Kniphofia ‘Bressingham Comet’, commonly known as Red-hot poker, stands out in the garden with its spectacular, torch-like flower spikes. This herbaceous perennial provides strong vertical contrast, making it an excellent focal point in mixed plantings. Its reliable bloom period from mid-summer into fall ensures long-lasting seasonal interest.
As an upright hybrid, Kniphofia ‘Bressingham Comet’ forms a tidy basal clump of strap-shaped leaves from which numerous flower stalks emerge. The signature flowers display brilliant tones of orange and red that gracefully fade to yellow, perfectly capturing the “Red-hot poker” moniker.
Gardeners value this plant for its resilience, particularly its tolerance for dry conditions once established. Achieving the best performance for Kniphofia ‘Bressingham Comet’ requires full sun and a commitment to providing sharp drainage, mirroring its preferred native South African mountainous habitat.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asphodelaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.5-2 ft
- Spread: 1-1.5 ft
- Bloom Time: July to September
- Bloom Description: Red and yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Kniphofia ‘Bressingham Comet’ is best done when the soil conditions are appropriate for root establishment, typically spring or early fall. The critical factor for success is soil composition: select locations providing humus-rich, well-drained media. This plant absolutely requires sharp drainage; it is intolerant of wet, heavy soils, particularly during winter dormancy, which can lead to severe root rot issues. Full sun exposure is ideal, although a few hours of afternoon shade are often acceptable in very hot summer climates.
Maintenance for this Red-hot poker hybrid is straightforward. Promptly deadhead spent flower spikes to encourage further blooming through late summer. In colder zones (USDA 5 and 6), providing winter protection to the crowns is crucial for survival. A practical method involves tying the basal leaves together in a protective canopy late in the fall to minimize water accumulation near the crown, supplemented by a layer of root mulch.
As spring arrives, cut back the old foliage to about three inches above the ground before new growth begins. Established clumps of Kniphofia ‘Bressingham Comet’ thrive when left undisturbed for many years. If division becomes necessary due to overcrowding, gently sever only the outer offsets to minimize disturbance to the central rhizomes. Remember that this named cultivar must be propagated by division, as resulting seed will not breed true.
Landscape Uses
Kniphofia ‘Bressingham Comet’ excels as an outstanding vertical accent due to its upright habit and striking flower structure. Its defined height of about two feet makes it perfect for placement toward the front or middle sections of the perennial border where its bold color can be appreciated up close. It functions wonderfully as an effective specimen plant, creating an immediate vertical feature when planted individually.
For a more unified design, plant these Red-hot poker selections in small groups. Massing three to five plants together enhances their visual impact, especially when in full bloom in July and August. Because of their dramatic texture, they pair well with fine-textured, mounding plants that contrast well against the linear leaves and spiky blooms, such as ornamental grasses or silver-leaved artemisias.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Kniphofia is widely recognized for its bottlebrush-like flower spikes appearing above linear, strap-shaped basal leaves. The species originate primarily from mountainous regions of Southern to Tropical Africa. The hybrid Kniphofia ‘Bressingham Comet’ specifically offers upward-facing racemes, 5-8 inches long, showcasing impressive orange/red blooms that mature to yellow atop spikes reaching 24 inches tall.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Drought
- Dry Soil
Potential Problems
This plant generally experiences few significant insect or disease issues when grown correctly. The primary threat resides in cultural neglect, specifically poor drainage; root rot is a constant concern if the soil remains overly wet, especially during wintertime when the plant is dormant. In some arid regions, you might occasionally notice thrips feeding on the blossoms. On the upside, deer and rabbits tend to avoid consuming the Red-hot poker entirely, offering textural interest without worry of grazing pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Red-hot poker suitable for?
Kniphofia ‘Bressingham Comet’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 8.
How large does Red-hot poker grow?
This compact variety typically reaches a height of 1.5 to 2 feet and spreads between 1 and 1.5 feet wide.
When does Red-hot poker bloom?
Kniphofia ‘Bressingham Comet’ offers its characteristic red and yellow blooms primarily from July extending through September.
What sun exposure does Red-hot poker need?
This perennial requires full sun for optimal flowering and health.
Conclusion
Kniphofia ‘Bressingham Comet’ offers unmatched vertical drama and reliable summer color, making it an indispensable component for sun-drenched perennial borders. This drought-tolerant Red-hot poker rewards correct cultural care, emphasizing sharp drainage, with consistent fiery blooms. Confirm your site receives full sun and drains well before planting your Kniphofia ‘Bressingham Comet’ this season.
Companion Planting
When selecting partners for Kniphofia ‘Bressingham Comet’, focus on plants that share similar cultural needs, primarily full sun and dry to medium moisture levels, allowing them to thrive near the Red-hot poker without needing excess hydration. Plants with soft, mounding habits contrast beautifully against the rigid lines of the torch lily. Consider pairing them with silvery foliage like Artemisia or mounding salvias (Salvia nemorosa cultivars), which appreciate sharp drainage and full exposure.
For excellent complementary color and form, incorporate plants that bloom earlier or later than this Kniphofia hybrid. Late-flowering ornamental grasses provide movement and harmonize with the vertical structure of the flower spikes. Alternatively, interplant with sturdy, late-summer bloomers like hardy Geraniums or Siberian Iris varieties that have finished blooming, providing ground cover where the Kniphofia foliage is sparse.
Propagation Tips
Since Kniphofia ‘Bressingham Comet’ is a named cultivar, natural reproduction via seed is unreliable for preserving its specific color combination; seed-grown plants usually revert to parent species types. Therefore, propagation relies entirely on division. This is best accomplished in early spring just as new growth initiates.
To divide, carefully lift the entire clump using a sharp spade, severing it gently into sections. For minimal stress, target the younger offsets growing at the periphery of the older clump. Ensure each new division has a healthy segment of the crown and sufficient root mass to sustain it when replanted.
Replant these successful divisions immediately into prepared, well-draining soil, taking care to position the crown at the correct depth. Newly divided Kniphofia plants may take a season to become fully established and bloom vigorously, but this method ensures you retain the desirable orange/red/yellow coloration of the original Red-hot poker.
