Kniphofia 'Flamenco Mix' is a vibrant selection of red hot pokers featuring a range of warm shades from scarlet red to golden yellow. The bold torch like flower spikes rise above grass like foliage in mid to late summer, creating dramatic vertical accents in sunny beds and borders. This variety is known for its adaptability and long blooming period, with multiple flower flushes when deadheaded regularly.
Height & Spread: 24 - 36 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Well drained soil; tolerates sandy or gravelly conditions
Watering Needs: Low to moderate once established
Deer Resistance: Generally resistant due to tough leaves and bitter compounds
Native Status
'Flamenco Mix' is a hybrid cultivar derived from Kniphofia species native to South Africa. Though not native to North America, it thrives in sunny, dry conditions commonly found in cultivated gardens.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Hummingbirds
- The tubular, nectar rich flowers are highly attractive to Ruby Throated Hummingbirds, especially during peak summer bloom.
Bees
- Frequented by long tongued native bees including bumblebees and leafcutter bees seeking nectar from dense flower clusters.
Butterflies
- Draws swallowtails, painted ladies, and other large butterflies looking for rich midseason nectar sources.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 18 - 24 in apart to promote air circulation and accommodate mature clump expansion.
Landscape Placement:
- Ideal for sunny borders, xeriscapes, and as focal points in drought tolerant perennial beds. Pairs well with ornamental grasses and other upright bloomers.
Companion Plants
- Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass) - Soft waving texture surrounds the base of Kniphofia and contrasts with its upright habit.
- Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage) - Airy lavender blue plumes provide a cooling contrast to the bold torch like blooms of Kniphofia.
- Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' - Low mounding golden blooms mirror the warm hues and provide ground level color.
- Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' - Broad daisy shaped flowers in rich pink add fullness and echo the vertical height of the pokers.
- Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' - Deep purple spikes accentuate the fiery blooms and attract pollinators throughout summer.