Poco™ 'Red' Red Hot Poker

Kniphofia POCO™ ‘Red’ is a compact red hot poker with coral-red flower spikes above short, green foliage. It blooms from summer into fall, with July–October flowering listed for this selection, and its nectar-rich flowers draw pollinators. ## Form and placement This clumping perennial is about 14 inches tall and wide, with flower stems reaching roughly 20 inches. Its small scale suits containers, the front of a border, and mass plantings where repeated color can be enjoyed up close. The flowers can also be cut. Terra Nova lists USDA Zones 6–9 and describes the plant as shorter than ‘Red Hot Popsicle’. ## Growing conditions Plant it in full sun and average, well-drained soil. The plant is deciduous, so its foliage dies back in winter. Allow the soil to dry somewhat between waterings; like other red hot pokers, it can manage dry periods, though flowering is more generous with supplemental water. Give the crown good drainage through winter. The exact Terra Nova profile lists the plant as deer resistant and a hummingbird attractor. The plant is sold as Kniphofia POCO™ ‘Red’ with selection code TNKNIPR; its profile lists U.S. Patent PP 27,446 and EU Grant 51,521. Sources: [Terra Nova exact plant profile](https://www.terranovanurseries.com/product/kniphofia-poco-red/); [RHS plant profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/384666/kniphofia-poco-red-tnknipr-poco-series/details). ## Maintenance Remove spent flower stems after bloom and tidy old foliage in spring. Divide established clumps in late spring if they become crowded. Keep winter moisture away from the crown, especially in heavier soils.