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red hot poker flower

The red hot poker flower, also known as Kniphofia or torch lily, is a standout perennial that brings eye-catching colour and architectural form to New Zealand gardens. With its tall, striking spikes of red, orange, and yellow blooms that resemble glowing torches, the red hot poker flower adds drama to borders, beds, and even larger containers. These tough plants not only offer months of vibrant blooms from late spring through autumn, but also attract bees, butterflies, and native birds, making them a fantastic choice for gardeners seeking both beauty and biodiversity.

callistemon-red-alert-4

Callistemon 'Red Alert'

Callistemon 'Red Alert' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its brilliant red bottlebrush flowers that appear from spring into summer. The vivid blooms create a bold splash of colour against fine green foliage and attract birds to the garden.

From $27.53

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red' showy red flowers.

Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red'

5 from 1 customers

Lagerstroemia ‘Crimson Red’ is a striking crepe myrtle renowned for its deep crimson summer flowers and attractive upright tree form. Flowering during the warmest months, it adds bold colour and structure to NZ gardens and landscapes. This variety is ideal for feature planting where strong visual impact is desired.

From $30.29

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 2.50 m
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
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Leptospermum 'Red Damask'

Leptospermum 'Red Damask' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its masses of rich red flowers and fine dense foliage. Flowering through spring...

From$27.53
leptospermum-red-falls--3
Leptospermum 'Red Falls'

Leptospermum 'Red Falls' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its cascading growth habit and masses of vibrant red flowers through spring and...

From$27.53
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' ground cover plant with creeping stems with green foliage and red flowers.
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' is a compact, spreading bottlebrush known for its vibrant red flower spikes and fine evergreen foliage. This variety...

From$27.53
Escallonia 'Red Knight' growing as a border around the base of a tree.
Escallonia 'Red Knight'

Escallonia 'Red Knight' is a vibrant evergreen shrub prized for its masses of rich red flowers and dense glossy foliage. This hardy variety produces...

From$16.95
Buddleia 'Royal Red' dark pink flowers and grey-green foliage.
Buddleia 'Royal Red'

Buddleia ‘Royal Red’ is a bold deciduous shrub celebrated for its rich red crimson flower spikes and sweet summer fragrance. Flowering over an...

From$27.53
Phormium 'Rainbow Red' red and purple striped foliage.
Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax admired for its bold, arching leaves in shades of bronze, red, and pink. This striking...

From$249.95
Callistemon citrinus 'Red Cluster' small tree with masses of red, pendulous flowers.
Callistemon 'Red Cluster' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Red Cluster' is a striking bottlebrush variety valued for its clusters of vivid red flower spikes and dense evergreen foliage. Flowering...

From$37.19
A dense Escallonia 'Red Dream' shrub with lush green foliage.
Escallonia 'Red Dream'

Escallonia 'Red Dream' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its masses of rich red flowers and dense glossy foliage. This attractive variety...

From$16.95
Salvia 'Riverton Red' plant with elegant red flowers and lush, green leaves.
Salvia 'Riverton Red'

Salvia 'Riverton Red' is a striking perennial prized for its vivid red flower spikes that bloom reliably from spring through autumn. This hardy, sun...

From$27.53
Photinia 'Red Robin' hedge with colourful foliage.
Photinia 'Red Robin'

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is a popular evergreen shrub renowned for its vibrant red new growth, which contrasts beautifully with the mature glossy green...

From$18.95
grevillea-red-clusters-4
Grevillea 'Red Clusters'

Grevillea 'Red Clusters' is a vibrant evergreen shrub that produces masses of rich red flower clusters throughout the year. Its fine foliage and...

From$24.95
Coprosma Red Rocks with colourful foliage in a garden.
Coprosma 'Red Rocks'

Coprosma 'Red Rocks' is a hardy NZ native shrub known for its rich red toned foliage and tough spreading habit. Naturally found in coastal...

From$17.95
camellia-roma-red-
Camellia Roma Red

Camellia 'Roma Red' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms and glossy green foliage. It delivers bold winter to spring colour in...

From$39.95
Carex flagellifera Red plants.
Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$11.50
A Loropetalum 'Red Temple' plant with dark purple-red foliage and elegant, pink flowers.
Loropetalum 'Red Temple'

Loropetalum 'Red Temple' produces mildly fragrant, pink-red flowers through winter, which are both unusual and appealing. The foliage on this bushy...

From$28.91
Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' ground cover with masses of red flowers.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Red'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its rich red flowers and outstanding disease resistance. This tough rose performs...

From$34.43
Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' rose-coloured foliage.
Pseudowintera Red Glow'

Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' is a bright and vibrant NZ native shrub. New foliage emerges rose-pink and ages to become a fresh green colour. The leaf...

From$27.53
Azalea 'Red Wings' stunning red flowers amidst dark green foliage.
Azalea 'Red Wings'

Azalea 'Red Wings' is a striking evergreen azalea admired for its vivid red flowers that appear in abundance during spring. The vibrant blooms sit...

From$18.85
salvia-red-2
Salvia 'Red'

Salvia 'Red' (Red Sage) is a vibrant perennial that produces brilliant red flower spikes above aromatic green foliage from late spring until autumn...

From$27.53
A stunning Albizia julibrissin 'Red Silk' tree with masses of red flowers.
Albizia 'Red Silk'

Albizia 'Red Silk' is a variety of the commonly known Silk Tree, and is grown for its delicate foliage and showy flowers. The fern-like foliage is...

From$344.95
Rhubarb 'Ruby Red' red stems.
Rhubarb 'Ruby Red'

Rhubarb 'Ruby Red' is a popular heritage rhubarb variety prized for its vibrant red stalks and excellent flavour. This productive perennial performs...

From$17.95
camellia-japonica-red-red-rose-3
Camellia 'Red Red Rose'

Camellia 'Red Red Rose' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms that bring bold colour and elegance to New Zealand gardens...

From$34.95
acer-rubrum-1
Acer rubrum

Acer rubrum (Red Maple) is a magnificent deciduous tree renowned for its outstanding autumn colour and graceful growth habit. The fresh green foliage...

From$349.95
malus-red-jade-1
Malus 'Red Jade'

Malus 'Red Jade' is a graceful weeping crabapple tree admired for its cascading branches, masses of white spring blossom, colourful red ornamental...

From$387.55
acer-red-sunset-2
Acer 'Red Sunset'

Acer 'Red Sunset' is one of the finest deciduous maples for autumn colour, producing a spectacular display of brilliant scarlet and crimson foliage...

From$399.95
Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet' plants with red flowers above lush, green foliage.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet' is a low growing ground cover rose that produces a bold display of scarlet red flowers over a long season. Its spreading...

From$33.81
Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' plant with masses of red flowers growing in a pot on a patio.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' is a compact ground cover rose valued for its masses of vibrant cherry red flowers and exceptional disease...

From$34.43
Acer palmatum 'Red Emperor' specimen tree in a mixed planting.
Acer 'Red Emperor'

Acer 'Red Emperor' is a striking Japanese maple valued for its rich deep red foliage and strong upright form. This deciduous tree performs...

From$349.95
Grapefruit 'Cutler's Red' orange fruit.
Grapefruit 'Cutlers Red'

Grapefruit 'Cutlers Red' produces good yields of large, deep orange, juicy fruit from winter through spring. The rind is thick but easily peeled. It...

From$369.95
ozothamnus-royal-flush-
Ozothamnus Royal Flush (Australian Rice Flower)

Ozothamnus Royal Flush, commonly known as the Rice Flower, is a shrub grown for its prolific flowering and drought tolerance. Clusters of pink...

From$26.15
Callistemon 'Red Alert'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Buddleia, Callistemon, and Escallonia, or related Categories - Flaxes, Deciduous Shrubs, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search red hot poker flower

What is a Red Hot Poker Flower?

Native to South Africa, the red hot poker flower (Kniphofia) has earned its dramatic name from its fiery flower spikes. Each dense cluster sits atop strong, upright stems rising above clumps of evergreen, grass-like foliage. Their bold hues transition from red at the tip, blending through orange to yellow—instantly enlivening any planting scheme.

Many cultivars thrive in New Zealand’s climate, offering gardeners a range of sizes and colours to suit different settings. For a refined, multi-toned look, consider Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' (Hot Poker Plant), prized for its elegant flower shades and neat habit. Those with compact spaces or looking to edge a path might prefer Kniphofia 'Dwarf Scarlet' (Hot Poker Plant), which packs all the vibrancy of its taller relatives into a petite size.

Growing Red Hot Poker Flower in New Zealand

Red hot poker flowers excel in full sun and well-drained soils. Ideal for coastal and windy sites, they are tough and drought tolerant once established, making them well suited to the variable conditions found across many Kiwi gardens. Good drainage is key; avoid sites that get waterlogged over winter. A mulch of bark or compost helps retain moisture in summer and suppresses weeds, while an annual tidy-up of old leaves and spent flower stems keeps clumps healthy and looking sharp.

To enjoy more blooms, deadhead regularly and divide clumps every few years to maintain vigour. Combining red hot poker flowers with other sun-loving perennials or grasses creates striking contrasts in both form and colour.

Red Hot Poker Flower Planting Companions

The bold spikes of red hot poker flowers pair beautifully with other bright and dramatic plants. For a flame-inspired border, include striking companions like Clivia miniata 'Red' (Natal Lily), which offers bold red clusters of trumpet blooms in shaded spots, or the flamboyant Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red', whose brilliant summer flowers add an extra layer of fiery colour.

If you love the red theme, consider shrubs like Callistemon 'Red Alert'—the bottlebrush’s scarlet flowers will echo the hot poker’s drama while attracting nectar feeders to your garden.

Why Choose the Red Hot Poker Flower?

Hardy, low-maintenance, and long-flowering, the red hot poker flower is perfect for gardeners seeking easy yet unforgettable colour. Their upright, glowing spikes draw the eye and create seasonal spectacle—whether planted en masse, punctuating a border, or highlighting a mixed perennial bed. Explore selected cultivars such as Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' (Hot Poker Plant) and Kniphofia 'Dwarf Scarlet' (Hot Poker Plant) to discover the perfect red hot poker flower for your garden.

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Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

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Everyone knows classic varieties like Magnolia stellata 'Waterlily' and Lomandra Lime Tuff, but you might just fall in love with Metrosideros 'Mistral', Tilia cordata, and Hemerocallis 'Moon Goddess'.
–The Plant Company

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