{"product_id":"rocket-jr-red-hot-poker-kniphofia-rocket-jr","title":"Rocket Jr Red Hot Poker - Kniphofia 'Rocket Jr'","description":"\u003cp\u003eRocket Jr Red Hot Poker (\u003cem\u003eKniphofia\u003c\/em\u003e '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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlenty of flower in a small plant.\u003c\/strong\u003e The vivid spikes are produced in abundance, so it works where a full sized poker would dominate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNectar rich.\u003c\/strong\u003e The flowers draw bees and nectar feeding birds, so the plant works for wildlife as well as colour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrost hardy and drought tolerant.\u003c\/strong\u003e Once established it handles frost and dry spells, which suits outback and low water gardens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePots as well as beds.\u003c\/strong\u003e The slim form fits a container easily, and the flowers stand out well on a patio or step.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood for picking.\u003c\/strong\u003e The unusual flower spikes make distinctive cut flowers for a vase.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries and dry gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 30cm apart in groups of five or more, where the upright spikes rise from gravel and stone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a free draining mix and a pot with good drainage. A group of pots by a doorway gives a splash of fiery colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMixed beds.\u003c\/strong\u003e Place it at the front of a sunny border, where the vertical spikes contrast with soft grasses and rounded flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Rocket Jr Red Hot Poker in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water weekly through the flowering period. In spring, feed with a controlled release fertiliser once the foliage has been cut back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rockery-plants\"\u003eRockery plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003ePlants for pots\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003eDrought tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bee-and-butterfly-plants\"\u003eBee and butterfly friendly plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy has mine stopped flowering?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat do I do in winter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it suitable for pots?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787259642175,"sku":"KNI-HYB-ROCKET-tube","price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/rocket-jr-red-hot-poker-kniphofia-rocket-jr.jpg?v=1792154667","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/rocket-jr-red-hot-poker-kniphofia-rocket-jr","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}