Common name: Torch Lily, Red Hot Poker
Family: Liliaceae, Lily
Height x width: 3-5' x 4'
Growth rate: moderate to fast
Foliage: gray-green evergreen leaves 18-36" long, linear to sword shaped, keeled shape in cross section, often rought margins
Flowers: spike-like inflorescences on top 6-10" of leafless scape (flower stem); flowers bright reds to yellows, short-stalked, drooping, tubular; summer
Hardiness: zones 5-8
Soil: well-drained
Light: sun
Pests and problems: none serious, occasionally mites or thrips, crown rot
Landscape habit, uses: 3 or less together in borders as accent or specimen, containers, cutting
Other interest: genus named form 18th century German professor J.J. Kniphof; native to Africa with species first introduced into commerce in 1705
Other culture: remove flowers and stalks after bloom for repeat bloom, if foliage declines cut back halfway as well; tie foliage together in fall to prevent water entering crown causing rot
Propagation: seed of species, division for cultivars after bloom or early fall; cold moist stratify seed 6 weeks, germination may be erratic over 3 months, plants flower 2nd year from seed
Species:
uvaria (uu-vair' ee-ah)--Common Torch Lily, cultivars are often
listed under this primary species, although most are hybrids with several
other species
Cultivars:
The following include the most common and available in the U.S.
| Cultivars | height | flowers | bloom time |
| 'Alcazar' | 3-4' | bright red | early summer |
| 'Earliest of All' | 18-24" | orange red, yellow | early summer |
| 'Gold Mine' | 3' | golden amber | summer |
| 'Little Maid' | 18-24" | yellow fading to cream | summer |
| 'Pfitzeri' | 3' | bright orange-red | late summer |
| 'Primrose Beauty' | 3' | primrose yellow | summer |
| 'Rosea Superba' | 30-36" | rose red | summer |
| Royal Castle' | 2-3' | bright orange yellow | summer |
| 'Royal Standard' | 3-4' | scarlet opening yellow | summer |
| 'Shining Scepter' | 3' | golden tangerine | summer |
| 'Springtime' | 3-4' | upper coral, lower yellow | early summer |
©Authored by Dr. Leonard Perry, Professor, University of Vermont as part of PSS123 course.
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