Kniphofia 'Sunningdale Yellow' (Red hot poker)
Kniphofia ‘Sunningdale Yellow’ produces elegant spikes of warm yellow flowers that fade to orange tones, bringing bold summer colour and vertical structure to sunny borders and gravel gardens.
Growing to around 0.5–1m tall in flower, it forms a clump of strap-like foliage and sends up multiple spikes through summer, making it a reliable performer for long-season impact in hot borders.
Plant in full sun in well-drained soil and choose a warm, sheltered position where winter wet is minimal. Kniphofia performs best where it isn’t shaded and where drainage is sharp in colder months.
Water to establish, then only in prolonged drought. Feed in spring and remove spent flower stems to encourage more blooms; tidy old leaves in spring as new growth appears for a clean finish.
Perfect for prairie-style borders and wildlife gardens, this red-hot poker pairs beautifully with grasses and echinacea, and it is also a strong pollinator plant in mid to late summer.
| Botanical name | Kniphofia 'Sunningdale Yellow' |
| Flower colour | Yellow to orange |
| Tuber size | Grade I (Top Size) |
| Established height | 0.5–1 m |
| Established spread | 0.1–0.5 m |
| Plant spacing | 3 per m² |
| Leaf colour | Green |
| Habit | Clump-forming |
| Life cycle | Perennial |
| Hardiness | Fully hardy |
| Years to establish | 1st year |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Position | Exposed or Sheltered |
| Suitable for | Pots, Borders, Cutting garden |
| Soil acidity | Any |
| Soil moisture | Moist but well-drained |
| Soil type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| RHS Award (AGM) | No |
| Growing skill | Easy to grow |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Deer resistant | No |
Planting and Flowering Calendar
Key Features
Packed in paper
Packed peat-free
Great for Shade
Attracts wildlife
RHS Award (AGM)
Perfect for pots
Good for cutting

