Friday, May 11, 2012

Tritoma flowers pictures.





This plant is very attractive to butterflies, birds, and bees. Best displayed in grouping. Colour ranges from yellow, coral, sherbet. Prefers well-drained garden soil. These bold flower spikes erupt in summer above sword-like foliage. Makes a good cut flower. Needs well-drained soil. "Red Hot Poker" is the local nickname for these bold, handsome natives of Madagascar and tropical South Africa. "Red Hot Poker" needs adequate space. Heat and drought tolerant. Remove the fading flower spikes to encourage additional blooms. These are rugged, interesting perennials of the lily family. The foliage is evergreen and any dead foliage can be cut off in the spring. This plant is resistant to deer.                                                                         Size: #1 � Hardiness: Zones 5-10

Common: Red Hot Poker � Family: Liliaceae

Botanical: Kniphofia uvaria 'Pfitzeri'

Bloomtime: Aug-Sept � Height: 36"

Foliage: Bluish-Green & Grass-Like � Spacing: 24"

Flower: Warm tones ranging from Red to Yellow

Exposure: Full Sun

Pests: No significant insect or disease problems.

Notes: From a basal tuft of coarse, sword-shaped, bluish-green linear leaves (to 18" long) rises a succession of thick, naked flower scapes featuring dense, terminal racemes (6-10" long) of drooping, tubular flowers. Flowers emerge in a variety of colors. Each flower head is broad at the top but tapered at the base, thus resembling a torch or poker. Plants primarily flower in June and July, with some continued rebloom into September in optimum conditions. Plants in the genus Kniphofia are also commonly called torch lilies.

Planting instructions: Dig a hole large enough to encompass the roots without bending or circling. Set the plant in place so the crown (part of the plant where the root meets the stem) is about 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Cover with soil to the original soil surface and water thoroughly. Grow in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Prefers rich, humusy soils. Intolerant of wet, heavy soils, particularly in winter.

Locate in areas protected from wind. Promptly remove spent flower spikes. Crowns benefit from winter protection in USDA Zones 5 and 6. Consider a winter mulch or tying leaves together forming a canopy over the crown so as to prevent water from settling in the crown and freezing. Established clumps are best left undisturbed. Do not plant the Torch Lily deeper than 3 inches. The plants need a sunny location as they are intolerant of shade.

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