{"product_id":"kniphofia-royal-castle","title":"Kniphofia 'Royal Castle'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eKniphofia 'Royal Castle'\u003c\/strong\u003e is a bold, robust \u003cstrong\u003ered hot poker\u003c\/strong\u003e grown for its tall, fiery bicolour spikes that open brilliant red and age to golden yellow from the base upwards, giving every stem the look of a lit torch. Upright and free-flowering, this torch lily is a commanding focal plant that brings hot, exotic colour and abundant nectar to the summer border.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRated RHS H5, it is a fully hardy perennial that copes with temperatures down to around -15C once established. It is deciduous, dying back to a crown over winter before pushing up strong new growth in spring, and it flowers reliably from summer into autumn. Leaving the old foliage over the crown through the cold months gives useful natural frost protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun, ideally south or west-facing, for the tallest, brightest spikes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e any fertile, free-draining loam, sand or chalk across acid to alkaline pH.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a strong clump reaching around 0.9 to 1 m tall and 0.6 m across.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e reliably hardy in the UK, with a dry winter mulch useful in cold, wet gardens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater through the first summer to establish, after which it is impressively drought-tolerant and ideal for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003edry and gravel gardens\u003c\/a\u003e. Its height and colour make it a standout among sunny \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic borders\u003c\/a\u003e, while its nectar-rich pokers place it firmly among the best \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eplants for pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e. It also performs well in a large container from our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eplants for pots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e. Combine it with other \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e such as the softer \u003ca href=\"\/products\/kniphofia-sunningdale\"\u003eKniphofia 'Sunningdale'\u003c\/a\u003e for a layered, sun-loving scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\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":58089234989439,"sku":"KNIPROY11","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/royalcastle.jpg?v=1785939391","url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/kniphofia-royal-castle","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}