Kniphofia 'Red Hot Poker' Plant

Chris told me he wanted to show me a unique plant he spotted down the street by a neighbor's mailbox. We walked about a block and he pointed to what looked like just another clump of orange daylilies from a distance - but when we got up close I recognized them from something I saw on High Country Gardens. They actually have a dwarf version.

Kniphofia 'Red Hot Poker' plant

I looked them up and found that they are a variety of Kniphofia also known as a Red Hot Poker Plant. I think the name is just right, it looks like a poker you might have left in the fire too long glowing hot orange. It has a desert look to it, and sure enough is described as drought tolerant and originating from Africa.

Katie and the Kniphofia 'Red Hot Poker' plant - looks like daylilies from a distance but quite interesting close up!

Kudos unknown neighbor! Always nice to see neat plants in my hood! This one was in the older section of the neighborhood where the houses are about 8 years old and the trees have had some time to grow in. It was by the mailbox in full sun on the south side of the yard. It looks to be hardy because there's no way they just put this in this season!

Hosta Hail Damage

We had quite the storm the other night and even had some pea-sized hail here in central Indiana. The forecast calls for more storms this weekend and most of next week it looks like. I'm hoping I don't see any more hail because my gorgeous Hosta 'Sum and Substance' out front have massive leaves that might start looking like Swiss cheese!

Hosta 'Sum and Substance' with hail damage

Pea size hail in Indiana on Monday night

Hosta 'Sum and Substance' in my front bed behind a row of boxwood

What's Growing Under My Lilium 'After Eight'?

What's with this weird growth under my Lilium 'After Eight'? Is it a new baby? Is it a mutant leaf? It doesn't seem to be getting any bigger it's just sort of sitting there. Is it my Red Luna hibiscus back from the dead (planted in the same spot)?

Lilium 'After Eight'