{"product_id":"kniphofia-caulescens","title":"Kniphofia caulescens","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKniphofia caulescens\u003c\/strong\u003e is the architectural, \u003cstrong\u003eevergreen red hot poker\u003c\/strong\u003e, prized as much for its foliage as its flowers. Bold rosettes of broad, blue-grey, almost succulent-looking leaves sit on short, stout stems, giving a sculptural, year-round presence that few hardy perennials can match. In late summer thick stems carry fat pokers that open deep coral-red and mellow to soft cream and lemon, a two-tone torch above the glaucous mound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRated RHS H5, it is a fully hardy perennial that shrugs off temperatures down to around -15C once established. Unlike the deciduous garden pokers it is evergreen, holding its striking foliage right through winter, so i\u003cimg\u003et should never be cut back. Native to the high Drakensberg mountains of South Africa and Lesotho, it is built for tough conditions provided the ground drains sharply in winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun, in an open spot, to keep the blue-grey rosettes tight and well coloured.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertile, free-draining loam or sand on acid to neutral ground; sharp winter drainage is key.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a substantial clump reaching around 1 to 1.2 m tall and 0.6 to 0.75 m across.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e reliably hardy and evergreen in the UK, given good drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater through the first summer to establish, after which it is robust and fairly drought-tolerant, earning its place in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003edry and gravel gardens\u003c\/a\u003e. Its evergreen structure makes it a standout in sunny \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic borders\u003c\/a\u003e and a superb feature among other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e. It grows well in a large container too, so it suits our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eplants for pots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e, and its nectar-rich autumn pokers place it among the best \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eplants for pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e. Pair it with the softer, deciduous \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kniphofia-sunningdale\"\u003eKniphofia 'Sunningdale'\u003c\/a\u003e for a long, layered season of colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery plant we supply is nursery-grown, selected for a healthy crown and strong roots, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"11cm \/ 0.75L","offer_id":58089257206143,"sku":"KNIPCAUL11","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/caul.jpg?v=1785939911","url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/kniphofia-caulescens","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}