(Kigelia)

This largely tropical plant family comprises some 800 species of often showy-flowered vines, trees, and shrubs. Most members of the Bignoniaceae inhabit South America, but a few are of North American or Old World origin. Many are cultivated as garden or greenhouse ornamentals, and a few are grown for timber.

The opposite or whorled leaves of these woody plants are palmately or pinnately compound (with leaflets in a finger- or feather-like arrangement), or sometimes simple. The showy, five-petaled,...

(Sausage Tree)

Drooping velvety dark red flowers that become long, heavy, sausage-shaped fruits are the foremost ornamental features of the sausage tree. This semi- to fully deciduous tree hails from a large range across central and eastern sub-Saharan Africa. It inhabits the dry woodlands and savannahs and typically becomes deciduous during the cool, dry winter season. Faster growing when young, sausage tree develops a dome-shaped canopy that is wide-spreading. The bark is thinly corky or platy and tan-gray.

New...

(Alcazar Tritoma, Red Hot Poker, Tritoma)

Red hot poker is a clump-forming perennial with thin, cord-like leaves and audacious flower spikes. 'Alcazar' has a flowerspike that begins an electric orange-red at the top, and oldest (lower-most) flowers on the spike fade to a creamy orange. Both bees and hummingbirds will frequent the tubular flowers and rob them of nectar.

Great for the sunny mixed border, 'Alcazar' should be given a rich, well-draining soil with organic matter. Avoid wet soils at all costs. This cultivar is particularly...

(Tritoma)

The colorful ‘Coral Comet’ is distinguished by its big, bold spikes of coral-orange flowers that appear in early to midsummer. The numerous, densely packed flowers tubular and the spikes long. Bees and hummingbirds will frequent the drooping flowers for nectar and pollen. When not in bloom its bold clumps of linear, coarsely textured, arching leaves add texture to the garden and even remain semi-evergreen where winters are mild.

Red hot poker is a classic garden perennial that requires full...

(Tritoma)

The dwarf ‘Little Maid’ bears pretty poker-like flower spikes topped with yellow-green and ivory flowers. The densely packed flowers are tubular and appear atop long stems. The buds are yellow-green and open to ivory. Bees and hummingbirds will frequent the drooping blooms for nectar and pollen. When not in bloom its bold clumps of linear, coarsely textured, arching leaves add texture to the garden and even remain semi-evergreen where winters are mild.

Red hot poker is a classic garden perennial...

(Lola Tritoma, Red Hot Poker, Tritoma)

Red hot poker is a clump-forming perennial with thin, strap-like leaves and audacious flower spikes. 'Lola' has a very tall flowerspike that begins a reddish burnt orange at the top, and oldest (lower-most) flowers on the spike fade to a light yellow. Both bees and hummingbirds will frequent the tubular flowers and rob them of nectar.

Great for the sunny mixed border, 'Lola' should be given a rich, well-draining soil with organic matter. Avoid wet soils at all costs. This cultivar is particularly...

(Peachy Cheeks Tritoma, Tritoma)

Red hot poker is a clump-forming perennial with thin, strap-like leaves and audacious flower spikes. The unique 'Peachy Cheeks' has a flowerspike that begins intense salmon-peach at the top in bud, opens to yellow and oldest (lower-most) flowers on the spike fade to creamy ivory. Both bees and hummingbirds will frequent the tubular flowers and rob them of nectar. This selection was found as a sport off of the dwarf hybrid 'Little Maid' growing in a nursery in New Zealand.

Great for the sunny...

(Tritoma)

The vigorous ‘Pfitzeri’ bears warm, bold poker-like flower spikes in summer. The densely packed blooms are tubular and appear atop long stems. The buds are orange-red and open to yellow. Bees and hummingbirds will frequent the drooping blooms for nectar and pollen. When not flowering, its bold clumps of linear, coarsely textured, arching leaves add texture to the garden and even remain semi-evergreen where winters are mild.

Red hot poker is a classic garden perennial that requires full sun...

(Tritoma)

The extra tall flower spikes of ‘Shining Sceptre’ add an architectural element to the summer border. The densely packed flowers of this Blooms of Bressingham introduction are tubular and appear atop long stems. They are golden orange in bud and fade to butter yellow just before they open. Bees and hummingbirds will frequent the drooping flowers for nectar and pollen. When not flowering, its bold clumps of linear, coarsely textured, arching leaves add texture to the garden and even remain semi-evergreen...

(Red Hot Poker, Toffee Nosed Tritoma, Tritoma)

Red hot poker is a clump-forming perennial with strap-like leaves and audacious flower spikes. 'Toffee Nosed' has a flowerspike that begins a brownish orange at the top, and oldest (lower-most) flowers on the spike fade to a creamy white. Both bees and hummingbirds will frequent the flowers and rob them of nectar.

Great for the sunny mixed border, 'Toffee Nosed' red hot poker should be given a rich, well-draining soil. Avoid wet soils at all costs. This cultivar is particularly suited to areas...