Traffic Lights Torchlily
Kniphofia hirsuta 'Traffic Lights'
Plant Height: 6 inches
Flower Height: 12 inches
Spacing: 10 inches
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 5
Description:
This is an intriguing novelty variety of torchlily that flowers on dwarf plants; unusual red, amber and green flower spikes emerge in mid summer to create an unusual yet brilliant border or container planting
Ornamental Features
Traffic Lights Torchlily features bold spikes of red flowers with gold overtones and green eyes at the ends of the stems from mid summer to early fall. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its grassy leaves remain green in color throughout the year. The plum purple stems can be quite attractive.
Landscape Attributes
Traffic Lights Torchlily is an open herbaceous evergreen perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Traffic Lights Torchlily is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Mass Planting
- General Garden Use
- Container Planting
Planting & Growing
Traffic Lights Torchlily will grow to be only 6 inches tall at maturity extending to 12 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 10 inches apart. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Traffic Lights Torchlily is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
