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Kniphofia

lisa masseylisa massey Posts: 252
in Plants

Should I cut back red hot pokers or not? They are the old fashioned variety, evergreen, but long floppy leaves and I'd like to tidy them up but don't want to go too far and do them any damage.

Posts

  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,327

    I would leave them for now, the leaves will help protect the plant. Trim the leaves back closer to spring for new fresh growth.

  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,466

    I did mine last year in the spring.Left the leaves on over the winter and then I just pulled the leaves off.This way means you don't run the risk of cutting into the new shoots.

    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • OnopordumOnopordum Posts: 390

    Agree with madpenguin - the old leaves are easy to pull off the base of the plant in spring if necessary. No need to cut/tidy these at all. The old leaves form a sort of mulch over the soil and by removing them or cutting the plants back you just expose bare soil over winter, which will encourage weeds to germinate and grow. The dead leaves also provide good homes for ladybirds, spiders etc, and a good foraging area for birds like wrens and dunnocks looking for insects.

  • lisa masseylisa massey Posts: 252

    Thanks all. x

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