Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Citrus Sunrise Red Hot Poker: Golden Torches Behind Lavender
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Citrus Sunrise red hot poker was bred to flower early, up to two weeks ahead of standard types. Its dense, club-shaped torches of drooping golden-yellow florets rise on stout stems well above a clump of arching, grassy leaves that are a little wider than usual. Cut the spent spikes and it keeps reblooming into late summer.
It likes the same full sun and sharp, lean drainage as lavender. Golden torches rising behind purple mounds is about as cheerful as a summer border gets.
Citrus Sunrise at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Kniphofia 'Citrus Sunrise' |
| Flowers | Golden yellow torches |
| Foliage | Mid-green, arching and grassy, slightly wider than typical |
| Size | Foliage about 2 feet; spikes 32 to 36 inches; 22 to 26 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts mid-June, peaks early July, reblooms into late summer |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 6 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Wildlife | Excellent for hummingbirds, bees and butterflies; moderately deer resistant |
Golden spikes and purple mounds
Yellow and purple sit opposite each other on the color wheel, so they make each other pop. Citrus Sunrise adds that contrast with a strong vertical shape, standing about three feet tall in the middle or back of a sunny border with lavender mounds in front. Its mid-June start lines up with the beginning of the lavender season, and rebloom carries the gold into late summer.
Both plants share a dislike of wet feet. Give them the same gravelly, fast-draining bed and both will be happy. Use the Companion Plant Planner to place the pokers so they do not shade the lavender.
Planting and care
- Site: full sun in lean to average, well-drained soil. It also tolerates salt, which helps near roads and shorelines.
- Water: regular until established, then drought tolerant.
- Deadheading: cut spent spikes at the base to encourage more blooms.
- Problems: crown and root rot in wet winter soil is the main cause of loss. Thrips can mark the flowers.
- Foliage: leave it standing over winter and tidy it in spring.
Getting it through a Michigan winter
Being honest: zone 6 is its limit, so it is marginal in colder parts of the state. Improve the odds with a sheltered, sharply drained site, such as a raised bed or the warm side of a wall. In fall, leave the foliage up and tie it over the crown so it sheds water, then mulch lightly once the ground freezes. Winter wet, not just cold, is what usually kills it.
Not sure which zone you are in? Check the USDA Zone Finder.
Cut flowers and hummingbirds
The torches work well as cut flowers. Cut when the lower florets are open. Left in the garden, they are a hummingbird favorite, so plant them where you can watch.
Plug tray or bare root
Citrus Sunrise is offered as a 72-cell plug tray and as a bare root plant. See each product page for current availability, or visit the Wholesale Hub.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called red hot poker if it is yellow?
Red hot poker is the common name for Kniphofia. Many types are red and orange; Citrus Sunrise is a golden yellow form.
Will it rebloom?
Yes, moderately. Cut the spent spikes at the base and new ones follow into late summer.
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