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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Asphodelaceae (~Liliaceae) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Yellow & Orange |
| Bloomtime: Fall/Winter |
| Height: 3-4 feet |
| Width: 3-4 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 0-10° F |
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Kniphofia rooperi (East Cape Poker) - This robust evergreen perennial, native to coastal marshes on the summer-moist Eastern Cape of South Africa, has arching, keeled ,dark green leaves and orange-yellow spherical heads of flowers that are quite different from the elongated darker orange red torches that top the Kniphofia uvaria varieties. The flowers, rising up to 3-4 feet tall, are yellow towards the bottom and bright orange above. Flowering is noted as occurring in early fall in the southeastern US but in South Africa this plant blooms from winter into spring. Anyone familiar with the varying flowering times that Kniphofia cultivars exhibit in California knows that these plants can bloom at differing times just between southern California and the bay area. We are finding bloom on our Kniphofia rooperi in December 2006 through January 2007. Plant in full sun and give regular irrigation. Hardy to USDA zone 7 (0-10 F) but it is likely to be evergreen only in zones 9 and above. Our thanks to Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery for sharing his selection of this species with us. The name Kniphofia honors Johann Hieronymus Kniphof (1704 -1763), a German physician and botanist. The pronunciation of this genus is often argued about and while most continue to use the easiest to pronounce versions such as ny-FOE-fee-ah or nee-FOF-ee-a, others argue correctly that the name should follow the pronunciation of the name it commemorates. But even for this there are differences of opinion owing to different German regional dialects - one such pronunciation often noted as correct is nip-HOFF-ee-uh while another that is particularly hard to pronounce is k-nip-HOF-ia. Keeping it simple we still use ny-FOE-fee-ah.
This information about Kniphofia rooperi displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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