Content
Caring for and growing Kniphofia will bring a lot of pleasure. After all, an amazingly beautiful plant will appear on the site. It is a representative of the Asphodelaceae subfamily, Xanthorrheaceae family. Under natural conditions, the plant is found in eastern and southern Africa and on the island of Madagascar. It is located above sea level at an altitude of about 4000 m.
There are 75 species in the family, but only a few Kniphofia hybrids are planted in gardens. Other names of the plant: kniphophia, tritoma.
The plant was named after the botanist from Germany Johann Hieronymus Kniphof
Botanical description
In the photo, the kniphofia in the flowerbed looks original. It is a flowering perennial and evergreen in warm regions. The height of the bush, depending on the type and variety, ranges from 6 cm to 3 m. The rhizome of the plant is short but thick. The basal rosette is represented by leathery, sword-shaped leaves. A long peduncle grows from the rosette; it is noteworthy that it is completely naked.
Gray-green leaf blades and bright spike-shaped buds of an exotic plant will decorate any garden
Features of flowering
The bud blooms at the very top of the stem. It consists of small flowers and resembles a plume or a multi-colored cone. Kniphofia buds can open in different ways. On some plants they point down, on others they look up. The color of the petals ranges from deep red to yellow.
The buds bloom in mid-summer. But even after flowering ends, the decorative effect of the plant does not disappear. In place of the bud, a fruit-box with seeds is formed.
Winter hardiness of kniphofia
Even after selection, the African flower does not have high frost resistance. Its limit is no more than - 15 °C. That is why, when growing kniphofia in the Moscow region and in more severe climatic conditions, the bushes are dug up for the winter and planted in boxes with drainage. After filling with compost, the plants are removed to a room where the temperature does not drop below + 8 °C.
Popular types
Breeders have created new plants based on wild crops. Among hybrids, several types of kniphofia are especially popular.A brief description, characteristics of the species and varieties of exotic plants will help flower growers make their choice.
Kniphofia berry
Kniphofia uvaria grows naturally in one place - in the Cape Province. This is the oldest (since 1707), tall, strong species, the stems grow up to 2 m. The gray-green leaves of the sword-shaped plant reach a length of 50 cm. Kniphofia forms large inflorescences (up to 25 cm). The lower part is yellowish-green, the upper part is coral-red.
Kniphofia blooms for a long time, retains its decorative effect for 2 months
Kniphofia hybrid
Varieties of hybrid kniphofia (Kniphofia x hybrida) were obtained using berry kniphofia.
Elegant sultans of hybrid kniphofia decorate the garden for more than 2 months
Most often, flower growers pay attention to the following options:
- Variety Abendsonne with peduncles growing up to 120 cm.
This plant has a bud that is yellow below and red on top.
- The height of Cardinal is approximately 1.2 m. The flowers in the spike are fiery red.
Flowers bloom from bottom to top, so Kniphofia variety Cardinal pleases the eye for a long time
- The Bernocks Triumph variety is low-growing (up to 60 cm). The color palette is deep orange.
From a distance it seems that the entire bud of Bernox Triumph is the same color, in fact the bells below are much lighter
- The Indiana variety is a medium-sized plant. Its height is no more than 100 cm.
Kniphofia Indiana petals in red-orange shades
- The Rocket variety has red-cinnabar inflorescences. They are located on long peduncles (about 130 cm).
Many gardeners plant the Rocket variety against the background of coniferous plants.
Kniphofia Tukka
The plant is low, no more than 80 cm.Foxes are sword-shaped, their length is approximately 40 cm. Unlike other species, this kniphofia has a spike of only 15 cm. It contains red-yellow bells. The crown of the inflorescence is almost carmine.
The plant is resistant to many diseases and is also considered frost-resistant. Kniphofia tuckii is popular among gardeners. It is grown in the Moscow region and in central Russia. It is not necessary to dig up the bushes for the winter, you just need to cover them securely.
Kniphofia Tukka was discovered in 1892; in its natural environment the plant is found in southern Africa
Whitish
White Kniphofia (Kniphofia albescens) can have several stems. The plant has oblong leaf blades that resemble the shape of a bird's keel. Their length ranges from 80-100 cm.
On the peduncles, the leaf blades are slightly curved, their length is about 75 cm. On each of them, the plant forms an ovoid or cylindrical inflorescence. At the base it is wide and dense, closer to the top it is slightly narrower. The buds contain whitish-green flowers. On some varieties of the species they have a pinkish tint. Kniphofia seeds are egg-shaped with edges, their length is 8 mm.
The color range of the hard and fibrous leaves of Kniphofia whitish is dull green or bluish.
Shaggy
The plant got its name from the villi that cover the leaf blades. Thanks to this, kniphofia looks decorative. The inflorescences are small, only 3 cm in length.
Kniphofia hairy has yellow lower flowers, and red-pink buds on the upper ones.
Isofolia
The variety is distinguished by linear, dull green leaf blades. The yellow-pink flowers of kniphofia resemble a bell or funnel in shape.Buds with long yellow stamens look down.
Peduncles of isostoleaf kniphofia grow within 60-100 cm
The best varieties
There are many varieties of tritoma. But representatives of the following species are especially popular: berry, hybrid, Tukka. In order for flower growers to understand the features of kniphofia, their photos and descriptions are needed.
Flamenco
Variety Flamenco (Kniphofia flamenco) is a tall plant with red-yellow inflorescences. They look like flaming torches. Flowering begins in July, the last buds can be observed until the first frost. Kniphofia Flamenco does not cause any trouble when planting and caring.
Small buds of the Flamenco variety are located from top to bottom
Eskimo
Kniphofia berry variety Eskimo (Popsicke) is a tall plant, reaching 1 m. The lower part of the buds is yellow. They are orange or coral on top. It all depends on the variety, soil and planting location.
Knifofia Eskimo is a frost-resistant plant; it tolerates temperatures of -22 °C with virtually no damage.
Surprise
This variety has a powerful rhizome. Shoots and leaves emerge from the basal rosette. The leaf blades are narrow. On a peduncle growing up to 1 m, there is an inflorescence in the form of a spike. Kniphofia buds are tubular, with protruding stamens, drooping downwards. The lower part is yellowish-pink, those flowers that have not yet bloomed are creamy red.
The variety is of average frost resistance, so when grown in the Moscow region or central Russia, it must be dug up and stored in a cool room. Kniphofia Surprise is grown on lawns and in mixborders. Excellent option for cutting.
Each drooping bud of the Surprise variety has a wide bend
Flaming Fire
The variety of hybrid Kniphofia Flaming Fire received its name for the bright color of its small flowers.They are reddish-yellow.
Martian
Tritoma Martianka is also a perennial. Grows up to 150 cm in height. The leaf blades are dense, leathery, and resemble a sword in shape. A peduncle emerges from the basal rosette, the height of which is about 100 cm. The long ears (up to 25 cm) of kniphofia consist of multi-colored bells. The flowers are yellow-pink-red.
Each bud contains a large number of long stamens, which gives the Kniphofia variety Martianka a decorative appearance.
Alcazar
The Alcazar variety (Kniphofia alcazar) is a representative of the hybrid kniphofia. The height of the bush is within 100 cm. Flowering is long-lasting. Most flowers are observed in the period July-August. Bells in a long spike of orange-red color.
The first buds of Kniphofia variety Alcazar begin to form at the end of May
Golden Skepter
Golden Scepter is a hybrid plant. This variety of kniphofia reaches 120 cm in height. Large inflorescences consist of bright yellow bells.
Knifofia Golden Skepter has been pleasing gardeners with its appearance for a long time
Prince Maurito
The medium-sized Prince Maurito belongs to the medium-sized hybrids. Kniphofia reaches a height of 1.2 m. The flowers in the spike are in the form of bells of a dark red or brown hue. The petals look down and slightly to the side.
Flowering of the Prince Maurito variety begins in early July and continues until September
African guest
This is not a variety, but a mixture of different kniphofias collected in one package. Plant height varies depending on the species (100-120 cm). When flowering begins, multi-colored ears rise above the bushes.
The mixture contains:
- yellow - 30%;
- salmon – 30%;
- red 40.
A mixture of Kniphofia African Guest, grown from seeds at home, is excellent for cutting.
African Guest seedlings obtained from seeds should be placed on the site in increments of 30-40 cm
Application in landscape design
Knifofiya fits perfectly into the design of any site. It can be planted with almost all garden crops. Tritoma gets along with:
- irises and sage;
- gypsophila and lupine;
- maned barley, other ornamental cereals and rhipsalis;
- santolina and sticky resin;
- dahlias and phloxes.
Planting options:
- Plant single tritomes in lawns or small flower beds.
- You can arrange different varieties of kniphofia on one ridge, making them the central plants.
Neighbors in color should be contrasting
- Kniphofias make a kind of screen that will help divide the garden into zones.
Yellow tritomes go well with red flowers and look good against the backdrop of green shrubs
If you need to decorate an alpine slide, then with kniphofia it will look original
White grandiflora and bicolor tritoma are good neighbors
In areas with ponds, plants are planted on the shore.
On a sunny day, colorful ears of corn are reflected in the water
Reproduction methods
Getting kniphofia seedlings yourself is not a problem. To do this, you can use both seed and vegetative methods.
For vegetative propagation you will need a bush that is no more than 5 years old. Depending on the growing region, work begins in late April or May.
Reproduction stages:
- the mother plant is dug out of the ground;
- divided into rosettes, each of which should have healthy buds;
- shorten leaf blades;
- planted in pots one at a time;
- They are placed in a permanent place at the beginning of July.
The roots of the rosettes must not be damaged
Growing kniphofia from seeds
The second method of propagation is planting kniphofia from seeds. It is possible to grow seedlings, although there are some difficulties. Therefore, you need to follow the recommendations of experienced gardeners.
When to sow kniphofia seedlings
The production of seedlings from seeds begins at the end of March or beginning of April. This time is enough for the seedlings to get stronger by the time they are planted in open ground.
Preparing the container and soil
Before sowing, shallow boxes with soil are doused with boiling water. It is advisable to add potassium permanganate to the water to make disinfection more effective.
The soil needs nutrition. You can use ready-made store-bought formulations. If you prepare the soil yourself, then, in addition to humus, you must add sand (for flowability) and wood ash.
Sowing Kniphofia seeds for seedlings
Make grooves in the boxes and sprinkle seeds. Cover with a layer of soil no more than 2 cm. To speed up germination, you can cover the containers with glass or cellophane. Place in a warm, well-lit window.
Seedling care
Shoots appear in 2-2.5 weeks. You cannot immediately remove the cover. Seedlings need to be acclimated to room temperature gradually. Care comes down to timely watering.
When the plant has formed 2 true leaves, you need to plant the seedlings into separate cups.
Knifofia does not like dry air, so the seedlings are sprayed with a spray bottle throughout the entire growing period.
Planting and caring for kniphofia in open ground
Kniphofia in Russia is grown in open ground. It adapts well to natural conditions. In recent years, guests from Africa have become increasingly popular.
Recommended timing
Heat-loving kniphophia seedlings are planted when the soil and air warm up to 10-12 °C. Adult plants are not afraid of zero temperatures. When planting, a step of about 40 cm should be observed.
Site selection and preparation
Plants need to be planted in a well-lit place. In the shade, flowering will not be bright enough. This applies not only to flowers, but also to leaves. The place must be protected from drafts.
On the site on the south side, a small elevation is chosen, since the root system rots with excess moisture. The soil must be nutritious and loose to allow water and air to pass through.
Kniphofia planting algorithm
The survival rate of the plant and its further development depend on the correct actions. Therefore, you need to follow the algorithm:
- Prepare holes at a distance of 40 cm.
Place a layer of drainage at the bottom of the hole; this is a prerequisite, since the roots suffer from excess moisture.
- Top with nutrient soil and add water.
You can apply nitrogen fertilizers before planting.
- Seedlings should have a lump of soil so that the plants do not experience stress.
- Fill the holes to the top with soil, compact it and water again.
- To prevent the tree trunks from drying out, add mulch.
How to grow kniphofia
Gardeners do not encounter any particular difficulties when growing kniphophia in open ground. The main thing is to carry out traditional plant activities in a timely manner:
- watering and fertilizing;
- loosening and removing weeds;
- mulching and pruning;
- preparation for winter.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Despite the fact that the flower loves moisture, it must be watered carefully. The next irrigation of plants is carried out after the top layer of soil has dried. In hot weather, the amount of watering is increased. It is better to water the plants in the morning, before the sun rises.
As for feeding, Kniphofia does not need it only in the first year after planting, if enough nutrients have been added. In subsequent years, fertilize in early spring (with nitrogen-containing preparations), while there are no stems, or at the time of bud formation. In the fall, it is advisable to give plants supplements containing potassium.
It is recommended to combine watering with fertilizing, this way the nutrients are better absorbed by the plants.
Loosening and mulching
It is necessary to loosen the soil under the plants. This is one way to conserve moisture and kill weeds. Mulching reduces the amount of irrigation, and the grass does not grow as quickly. Peat and pebbles can be used as mulch.
Trimming
Kniphofia begins to form in the spring. Remove all dry shoots. When flowering ends, cut off the flower stalks at ground level. If this is not done, even in a state of winter dormancy, old shoots will take away nutrition.
Preparing for winter
It's much easier for residents of the south.For the winter, it is enough to trim the flower stalks and cover the root zone with a small layer of mulch.
In central Russia we will have to act differently. After cutting the flower stalks, the leaves are tied and carefully bent to the ground. Then the kniphofia is covered with spruce branches. When persistent frosts occur, they are insulated with non-woven material and snow.
In the Urals and Siberia, Kniphofia does not overwinter in open ground. The plants are transplanted into a suitable container and stored in a cool place until spring.
Diseases and pests
Kniphofia is resistant to many diseases and pests if you follow the rules of agricultural technology. But insects gnawing leaves can settle on it. Insecticides are used to control pests.
Of the diseases, kniphofia is most often affected by root rot. One reason is overwatering. You can get rid of the disease only at the initial stage. The soil around the bushes is treated with fungicides.
Conclusion
Caring for and growing kniphofia is not difficult. An exotic flower will become a real decoration of the garden. Of course, when growing new garden crops, you need to get acquainted with the characteristics of the plant itself and its agricultural technology.
