Kniphofia 'Christmas Cheer'

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I remember being surprised when I spotted this Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia) at Cistus Nursery a few years ago and was told that it bloomed in winter. Appropriately, it is named 'Christmas Cheer'. I planted it in a bad spot, in too much shade and hidden behind a huge pot. I promptly forgot about it.

Earlier this year, I came across it languishing and clearly unhappy in its home. Not really having a good place for it, I dug it up and put it in a pot and set it in a sunny spot by the driveway. About a month ago, I brought it up to the deck to give it some winter protection (it is hardy to 15 degrees). Imagine my surprise when I noticed an emerging stalk that kept getting taller and taller and viola, slowly-opening flowers!

The flowers appear to be yellow and the photos I've seen of it are red or orange. Time will tell if the color goes through a progression. I'm just excited that is is blooming and what a time to bloom! I don't know how kniphofia does in pot culture but for now, it seems to be happy.

According to the San Marcos Growers website - "This plant was introduced by the Huntington Botanic Garden in the 1970s and is considered to be a hybrid with Kniphofia rooperi , the seed parent crossed with an unknown pollen parent."




Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

Kris Peterson said…
It's very pretty, whatever its name may be. I hope you enjoyed the day, Philip!
December 25, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Anonymous said…
This hot pocker may not be happy long-term in a pot, but it certainly seems happier than it was in its previous location.
Those blooms, going from chartreuse to yellow and I'd be thoroughly surprised if any orange or red appear later on in its progression. Keep us posted.
Chavli
December 26, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Anonymous said…
Happy Boxing Day (considering your English sojourn this year it only send appropriate...)
So, I happened across a couple of the newish short Kniphofia (love that word..) in a discount area a couple of years ago and brought them home for the border I was planning to redo. Promptly repotted them into a larger basic black plastic pot. And there they still are, waiting for the border redo... Only other thing I've done is that I moved them into more sun near their future home last year. They have survived so far without my winter intervention. I also have had one blooming this month. YMMV, but I think they have a solid chance of doing just fine over the winter.
December 26, 2025 at 8:23 AM
tz_garden said…
How wonderful you spotted it, it's clearly happier with more sun. What a perfect time for a cheery bloom during the shorter days!
December 26, 2025 at 2:52 PM
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