Cut back kniphofia foliage?
GreenDahlia
Posts: 14
in Plants
Hi All, I have several lovely specimens of toffee nosed kniphofia (red hot poker only cream coloured). Some of the foliage is brown and manky looking others while the rest is quite green and healthy looking. Does anyone know - do I cut all foliage back and how far or just painstakingly cut out the dead foliage only? I've found one piece of advice on another forum saying to cut it all back to 3 inches but am worried in case that's the wrong thing to do and I end up ruining my plants! Thanks, GreenDahlia
0
Posts
I chop mine back ruthlessly, which freshens it up and also limits its spread somewhat. Mine, however, is the common or garden red/orange variety.
I'd chop it all back now, before it begins to grow again.
If you garden in a sheltered spot and it's already thrusting out new spring leaves then just take out the dead stuff.
You won't kill it either way.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Hi I have taken out the dead dry leaves, but mine still look very straggly and some leaves are mottled. can I cut it right back now? or is it too late?
I've had the common ones in the past and they've always responded well to a good cutting back. Helps get fresh air in and you can pull out any damp old debris that has gathered in amongst the foliage.
And snails - I always found a bucketful of snails in there. Seems like a favourite spot for them.
thanks to all advice, I've cut it back, cleared out lots of debris and yes lots of snails too.
Mine have always grew back fairly rapidly and then spent the entire summer energising the plant as well as sending up plenty of flowering spikes at a rate of knots.