Rocket Jr Red Hot Poker

Rocket Jr Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia 'Rocket Jr') is a pocket sized South African perennial, only 30cm to 40cm high and 20cm wide. Slender upright stems carry tubular flowers in two toned orange red and yellow, which hang down around the stem and open from the bottom to the top. Grassy leaves form a neat clump, and the flowers keep coming through summer and autumn.

Why you'll love it

• Plenty of flower in a small plant. The vivid spikes are produced in abundance, so it works where a full sized poker would dominate.
• Nectar rich. The flowers draw bees and nectar feeding birds, so the plant works for wildlife as well as colour.
• Frost hardy and drought tolerant. Once established it handles frost and dry spells, which suits outback and low water gardens.
• Pots as well as beds. The slim form fits a container easily, and the flowers stand out well on a patio or step.
• Good for picking. The unusual flower spikes make distinctive cut flowers for a vase.

Where it works best

Rockeries and dry gardens. Plant 30cm apart in groups of five or more, where the upright spikes rise from gravel and stone.

Pots. Use a free draining mix and a pot with good drainage. A group of pots by a doorway gives a splash of fiery colour.

Mixed beds. Place it at the front of a sunny border, where the vertical spikes contrast with soft grasses and rounded flowers.

Growing Rocket Jr Red Hot Poker in Australia

Position and climate. Plenty of sun. It is frost hardy and, once established, drought tolerant, so it works from cool temperate gardens to dry inland ones. Flowering is lighter in prolonged dry conditions, so water through long dry spells.

Soil. Light, free draining soil, in the garden or in a pot. It does not like soggy roots, so lift beds with sand or grit if the ground holds water.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the flowering period. In spring, feed with a controlled release fertiliser once the foliage has been cut back.

Pruning. Deadhead old flowers to encourage new ones. In spring, cut the foliage back to about a hand's length above the soil. Where winters are very wet, gather the leaves into a ponytail and tie them loosely, which acts like an umbrella over the centre. Every four or five years, divide the clump after flowering by splitting the roots and replanting half elsewhere.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Rocket Jr Red Hot Poker as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Expect a small grassy tuft rather than a plant in flower. Young plants travel well, so unpack them promptly and water them in. It bulks up into a clump and flowers once settled, so plant it in a sunny spot as soon as it arrives.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Rockery plants
• Plants for pots
• Drought tolerant plants
• Bee and butterfly friendly plants

Common questions

Why has mine stopped flowering?

The usual causes are too little sun, prolonged dry conditions or a crowded clump. Move it into full sun, water weekly while it flowers and divide old clumps every four or five years.

What do I do in winter?

The grassy leaves die back. In areas with very wet winters, tie them into a ponytail to shed rain from the centre, then cut them back to a hand's length in spring.

Is it suitable for pots?

Yes. At 30cm to 40cm it suits pots well. Use a light, free draining mix, give it plenty of sun and keep the pot from sitting in water.