Garden hybrid

This is a garden hybrid, bred from more than one wild species, so it has no single species page of its own.

6 other cultivars

perennial RHS Award

Bees' Sunset Red Hot Poker

Kniphofia x hybrida 'Bees' Sunset'

The Story

Plant Bio

Kniphofia is a genus of clump-forming, evergreen or deciduous perennials native to Africa, characterized by basal rosettes of linear, grass-like foliage and erect, unbranched flowering stems. The tubular flowers are densely packed into terminal, cylindrical racemes that open from the bottom upward, attracting nectar-feeding birds and insects.

'Bees' Sunset' is a robust cultivar distinguished by its rich golden-yellow flowers flushed with deep apricot-orange, held on bronzed flowering stems that reach up to forty inches tall. This Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit winner displays a distinct bicolor effect as the flowers open from deeper bronze-orange buds.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces striking, upright golden-yellow and apricot flower spikes that provide vertical structure in borders.

Highly drought-tolerant once established and exhibits good resistance to deer and rabbits.

Attracts hummingbirds, bumblebees, and other native pollinators with its nectar-rich tubular flowers.

Garden hybrid

Bred from more than one wild species, so it has no species page of its own.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

39"

Width

35"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low to Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Africa

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Early summer – Late summer

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with fertile, sandy or loamy soil that drains rapidly.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and plant so the crown sits level with or slightly above the soil surface.
Water deeply to settle the soil, then limit watering to periods of prolonged dry weather once the root system is established.
Apply a thin layer of compost or organic mulch around the base in spring, keeping it clear of the crown to prevent rot.

Pro Tip

Leave the dead foliage intact over winter to shield the crown from moisture and frost, then cut it back to the ground in early spring before new growth emerges.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in highly permeable soil to ensure excellent drainage during winter.
Deadhead spent flower spikes down to the base to maintain a tidy appearance.
Leave old foliage intact over winter to insulate the crown from cold and moisture.

Don't

Do not over-fertilize with high-nitrogen feeds, which causes weak, floppy stems.
Do not cut back the foliage in autumn, as this exposes the crown to winter rot.
Do not allow the soil to remain waterlogged or stagnant around the roots.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deadhead
Divide
Fertilize
Spring Cleanup
Winter Prep

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

BordersGravel GardensCutting GardensCoastal Gardens

Companion Plants

Salvia Achillea Echinacea

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Bees' Sunset Red Hot Poker questions

What zones can Bees' Sunset Red Hot Poker grow in?

Bees' Sunset Red Hot Poker is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Bees' Sunset Red Hot Poker deer resistant?

Yes — Bees' Sunset Red Hot Poker is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Bees' Sunset Red Hot Poker bloom?

Bees' Sunset Red Hot Poker typically blooms in early summer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Bees' Sunset Red Hot Poker need full sun?

Bees' Sunset Red Hot Poker does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Bees' Sunset Red Hot Poker drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Bees' Sunset Red Hot Poker handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.