Kniphofia 'PAPAYA POPSICLE'™ torch lily, red hot poker
size/type
mid-sized perennial,mid-sized perennial
usual height
0,4-0,5m
usual width
0,3-0,5m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
July-September
location
full sun
USDA zone (lowest)
7 (down to -23°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Popsicle™ is a torch lily series bred by Terra Nova Nursery in the USA. In spite of its name we suggest not to eat the flowers nor storing them in a freezer :-) Popsicle™ series comprises of several torch lily varieties of various flower colours or combinations. Most importantly, they are popular for their increased hardiness and tolerance to heavier soil. Both these advantages are very beneficial for Czech and Slovak conditions which is why we recommend Popsicles™ over any other cultivar.
Description of the plant:
Papaya is said to be one of the most delicious fruits on Earth when picked up at the right time, fresh from the tree. No wonder that one might want to taste the flowers of this new torch lily called Papaya Popsicle™. The flowers combine fiery red, orange, and yellow colour in spike-like inflorescence which appear atop strong, smooth stems from mid July. Under ideal growing conditions and in fertile soil it will flower continuously until September. Commonly it flowers for about 6 weeks and then repeats flowering in a weaker flush from early September. Semi-deciduous leaves are linear, narrow, dark green, and look like day-lily leaves but are firmer and more erect. Flowering stems are strong and do not bend in wind or rain. Torch lily needs a location in full sun and humus-rich, moist but well drained soil. Having said that we can confirm that Popsicle™ series proved tough and reliable even in more compacted or clay soil without winter rotting. Just beware of slugs that can severely damage flowers buds, especially as they are borne at the ground level, but they also often climb the stems at night to feast on the unopened buds at the very top. This series is hardy to min. -24°C, possibly a few degrees more if mulched.
Last update 15-09-2012, 04-12-2017
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GLOSSARY
- STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
- DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
- EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
- STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
- HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
- SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
- HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
- FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
- GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.
