{"product_id":"winter-cheer-red-hot-poker-kniphofia-winter-cheer","title":"Winter Cheer Red Hot Poker - Kniphofia 'Winter Cheer'","description":"\u003cp\u003eWinter Cheer Red Hot Poker (\u003cem\u003eKniphofia\u003c\/em\u003e 'Winter Cheer') is a large winter-flowering poker, a robust evergreen clump about 1m wide with spikes 1.2 to 1.5m tall. Orange-red buds open orange-yellow from winter into early spring, when little else in the garden is in flower. It is often listed as \u003cem\u003eKniphofia\u003c\/em\u003e 'Zululandiae', and it is a magnet for honeyeaters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour in winter.\u003c\/strong\u003e Tall orange-red and orange-yellow spikes arrive in the coldest months and carry through to early spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeds the birds.\u003c\/strong\u003e Winter nectar is scarce, so honeyeaters work these flowers hard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBig, bold clump.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is one of the larger pokers, with broad strappy leaves and thick stems that stand up on their own.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardy constitution.\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought tolerant, coastal tolerant and able to take frost once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLittle upkeep.\u003c\/strong\u003e A tidy after flowering and an occasional division are all it needs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter feature.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant where it can be seen from the house, so the spikes can be enjoyed from indoors on cold days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLarge borders and banks.\u003c\/strong\u003e Its size suits the back of a wide border or a sunny slope, planted in groups of three or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e It copes with wind and salt and adds strong colour to seaside plantings in the quiet season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Winter Cheer Red Hot Poker in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun is essential for strong stems and plenty of flower. Pokers suit temperate, Mediterranean and subtropical gardens, and established clumps tolerate frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-drained soil is the main requirement. Sandy and gravelly soils suit them, and clay should be opened up or mounded so the crown never sits wet over winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep new plants watered through their first summer. After that they cope with dry spells, and a deep watering while the flower stems are forming improves the display. A slow-release fertiliser in spring is enough.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTidying and dividing.\u003c\/strong\u003e Remove finished stems at the base and comb out dead leaves at the end of winter. Lift and divide congested clumps in autumn or early spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Winter Cheer Red Hot Poker in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Plant out soon after arrival with the crown at soil level, water in well and mulch around the clump. Plants settle in over their first year and flower most heavily from the following winter. Our growers do not carry every size right through the year, so a size may show as on backorder now and then. If you order a backorder size we confirm it with you before anything ships.\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\/grasses-and-strappy-leaf\"\u003eGrasses and strappy leaf plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/flowering-plants\"\u003eMore flowering plants for sunny beds\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bird-attracting\"\u003ePlants that bring birds to the garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/backyard-bird-paradise-creating-a-sanctuary\"\u003eCreating a backyard bird sanctuary\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen does Winter Cheer flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom winter into early spring, well ahead of the summer-flowering pokers. Planting both extends the poker season across much of the year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill frost damage the flowers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished clumps tolerate frost. A severe frost can mark open spikes, so a position with some overhead shelter helps in very cold districts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much room does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAllow 80cm to 1m between plants. It is a large poker and resents being crowded by neighbours.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":68095696142655,"sku":"KNI-HYB-WINCHE-200MM-P6","price":345.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/winter-cheer-red-hot-poker-kniphofia-winter-cheer.jpg?v=1794669225","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/winter-cheer-red-hot-poker-kniphofia-winter-cheer","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}