Kniphofia bruceae

Kniphofia bruceae is a rare, large species of red-hot poker native to South Africa that was once thought to be extinct. Rediscovered in the 1990s, this plant is notable for its massive size, with flowering spikes that can exceed 2 meters in height

      Flowers: The tall, dense, torch-like flower heads are made up of buds that start as yellow-green and open into creamy, light-yellow flowers. The stamens protrude from the hanging flowers, a distinguishing feature from similar species.

• Foliage: It grows in clumps with long, grass-like leaves.
• Size: As one of the largest species of Kniphofia, it can reach an ultimate height of 1.5 to 2.5 meters and a spread of 1 to 1.5 meters.
• Bloom time: It typically flowers in late autumn
• Thought extinct: The species was first described in 1954 but was thought to have disappeared from the wild by 1990.
• Rediscovery: It was rediscovered in its native South Africa by Cameron McMaster, where a single plant was found surrounded by alien pine trees.
• Cultivation efforts: Seeds from the rediscovered plant were distributed to botanical gardens, including the Ventnor Botanic Garden, to ensure its survival in cultivation. This was particularly important given the destruction of grassland habitats in South Africa
• Soil: It thrives in fertile, moist, but well-drained soil. It is crucial that the soil does not get waterlogged during the winter.
• Propagation: New plants can be propagated by dividing established clumps in late spring or by taking offshoots from the crown.
• Maintenance:
  • Cut down old flower stems after flowering.
  • Tidy up or remove old or dead leaves in mid-spring.
  • Tie the foliage together in colder, wetter climates to protect the crown during winter.
• Hardiness: It is best suited for coastal, gravel, and Mediterranean-style gardens, tolerating a wide range of temperatures as long as the soil remains well-drained.

Price is for 5 seeds