Red Hot Pokers

© 2024 CTC Productions Pty Limited. All rights reserved. The material presented on this website, may not be reproduced or distributed, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of CTC Productions.

There are two plants which have striking red flower spires in winter. Both are known as red hot pokers. One is the aloe, a succulent plant from Africa. The other, also from Africa, is a perennial called kniphofia, which forms a tufted, grass-like clump. The plants are both members of the lily family, Liliaceae.

Although mainly native to parts of Africa these plants are highly attractive to native nectar feeding birds such as wattlebirds or rosellas, which feast in the flower spikes.

Red hot pokers, whether aloes or kniphofias, can be used to add a strong architectural statement to a garden as they have bold leaves, grow in clumps and have tall spires of flowers. They can also be grown as pot plants.

‘Burke’s Backyard’ visited the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne to look at kniphofias and aloes in full bloom in late winter, and at ways in which they can be used in the backyard.

Kniphofia

Despite the tag of red hot poker, kniphofias come in a range of colours including red, orange and yellow to almost lime green and white or a combination of these colours. There are many named varieties. Some are winter flowering, such as the red and orange variety ‘Winter Cheer’, while others flower in summer and autumn. Plants also range in size from dwarf forms such as white flowered ‘Little Maid’, which is only 60cm (24″) tall, up to bold clumps that are 1.5-2m tall in flower.

All enjoy a spot in full sun with good drainage, although they will grow in part shade. Once established the plants can be left undisturbed to develop into a large clump.

Aloes

There are more than 325 species of aloes with about 60 different species known in cultivation in Australia. They vary in height from 60cm to 18m (2′- 54′). Many aloes flower in winter, most will grow almost anywhere and all require very little maintenance. Despite these advantages aloes are rarely seen in modern Australian gardens.

Aloes grow naturally in arid and semi-arid areas, and are well-suited to dry climate gardens in Australia. They will tolerate low fertile soils and will survive infrequent watering, as well as salt air and extremely cold temperatures.

Aloes will grow in semi-shaded areas, but prefer a position in full sun. Aloes are relatively tough plants requiring little maintenance. They can also be used to good effect in areas where nothing else will grow, such as an exposed dry hillside. Young plants need to be protected from severe frost. Aloes will bloom every year and do not die back after flowering.

One of the best known of the aloes is Aloe vera, which is used medicinally and cosmetically. The sap from this plant is useful for skin treatments, particularly for burns, and is available in many cosmetics, shampoos and ointments.

One of the most striking of the aloes is the winter-flowering Aloe arborescens: Known as the candelabra aloe or torch plant after its spikes of tubular scarlet flowers, Aloe arborescens is grown as a garden plant around the world. It is native to southern Africa, from the Cape to Zimbabwe and Malawi.

The plant grows in large clumps, reaching up to 2m (6′) tall, with a spread of up to 3m (10′). In south-eastern Australia it flowers from late June to late August or September. Its glorious red blooms stand out against a blue winter sky.

Availability and cost

Kniphofias:
Divide an established clump, look for potted plants for sale in flower, or buy plants from a specialist perennial nursery such as:

  • Lambley Nursery, ‘Burnside’, Lester Road, Ascot, Vic, 3364. Phone: (03) 5343 4303. (Mail-order catalogue available).
  • Woodbank Nursery, Huon Highway, Longley, Tas, 7150. Phone: (03) 6239 6452. (Mail-order catalogue available – postal address: RMB 303, Kingston, Tas, 7150.)

Aloes:

Offshoots can be dug up and replanted. Some species may be hard to find at the nursery. Depending on their size and rarity, plants may vary in cost from $3.50 to hundreds of dollars. If your local nursery doesn’t stock the aloe you’re after, try a cactus and succulent specialist nursery such as:

Arizona Cacti Nursery,
Windsor Road, Box Hill, NSW, 2765.
Phone: (02) 9627 3167.
Collectors