Red-hot Poker Lemon Popsicle
This vibrant and exceptionally compact perennial is excellent for adding dynamic vertical structure, texture, and bright Summer interest to the garden. It's striking, torch-like flower spikes with densely packed lemon-yellow blooms, emerge from lime-green buds in June, creating a refreshing sun-kissed look that instantly energises small garden spaces. During early Summer and continuing right through until early Autumn, Kniphofia Lemon Popsicle produces a relentless succession of these cheerful, glowing flower spikes. While traditional varieties can become unruly, this modern dwarf selection maintains a beautifully neat mound of fine, upright, grass-like green foliage. Its long flowering season makes it a superb specimen for decorative patio containers, a standout accent in mixed borders, or a brilliant addition to wildlife and cottage gardens. It is particularly well-suited to the Irish climate, thriving in coastal regions where it easily handles exposed, breezy conditions. It requires very little maintenance, though removing spent flower spikes will rapidly encourage fresh waves of golden blooms to rise up on its sturdy, self-supporting stems.
Site: Tolerates exposure, including coastal exposure
Soil: Requires fertile, well-drained soil; absolutely avoids heavy, waterlogged Winter ground which can damage the crown.
Position: Best in full sun
Season of interest: Fresh green grass-like foliage from Spring to Autumn; striking lemon-yellow flower spikes from June to September.
Hardiness: Fairly hardy
Height: 1.5-2' (45cm - 60cm) Spread: 1-1.5' (35-50cm)
Image by Conorohara cropped, and licensed under CC BY 4.0
