Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Hot and Cold Red Hot Poker: A Mid-Height Torch That Reblooms
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Hot and Cold red hot poker lives up to its name: tangerine orange buds sit at the top of each spike and open to creamy white florets below, so the torch reads orange over white. The spikes rise on stout, bare stems above a fountain of long, arching, grassy leaves, and removing spent spikes brings on more color later in the season.
At about 2½ to 3 feet tall in flower, it is a more manageable size than the giant pokers, which makes it easier to tuck into a lavender planting without overpowering it.
Hot and Cold at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Kniphofia 'Hot and Cold' |
| Flowers | Tangerine orange buds opening creamy white |
| Foliage | Arching, grassy green leaves in an upright clump |
| Size | 30 to 36 inches tall in flower, 24 to 30 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late June, peaks mid-July, repeat blooming |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 6-9; zone 5b with winter protection |
| Light | Full sun |
| Wildlife | Great for pollinators and hummingbirds; moderately deer resistant |
Pairing it with lavender
The two plants agree on everything that matters: full sun, lean soil and fast drainage. Visually they are opposites, which is the fun part. Lavender is a soft, rounded mound of purple; Hot and Cold is a cluster of upright, citrus-colored torches. Orange and purple sit across the color wheel from each other, so each makes the other pop.
Because it tops out near 3 feet, it can sit in the second row of a lavender border rather than far at the back. Its grassy leaves also contrast well with bold-leaved plants, if you want a third texture nearby. Hummingbirds will find it quickly. Sketch the layout in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Site: full sun, lean to average soil, sharp drainage. It handles drought once established.
- Rebloom: cut finished spikes at the base to encourage repeat flowering.
- Humidity: fine in humid summers if the soil drains; wet, heavy soil invites crown rot.
- Fall: do not cut the leaves back. They protect the crown through winter.
- Spring: tidy the old foliage once new growth starts.
Zone 5b and colder edges
Much of Michigan sits at the cold end of this plant's range. In zone 5b, give it winter protection: a sheltered, sharply drained spot near a building or on a slope, foliage left standing, and mulch added after the ground freezes. Check your zone with the USDA Zone Finder before planting.
Formats offered
Hot and Cold is offered as a 72-cell plug tray, for growers and anyone planting a long sunny border, and as a bare root plant for a single clump in a home garden. See each product page for current availability, or visit the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
Is it good for cutting?
Yes, it is a good fresh cut flower with sturdy stems. It does not dry well.
Does it need fertilizer?
No. Like lavender, it does best in lean soil. Rich soil makes soft growth that is more likely to rot.
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