I have a couple of clumps of red hot pokers which are looking a bit bedraggled. I have absolutely no idea what care they need - do I cut them back at any time - if so, when should it be done?
This link might help!
http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Kniphofia/Kniphofia.htm (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Kniphofia/Kniphofia.htm)
Thanks Tee Gee - I have read your link and see that they will benefit from an 'annual haircut' around April.
I presume cut all the plant back, but how far back?
I must say that mine are usually mush by then and all the old growth above ground is removed. That is except for K. northiae which is an evergreen type and all I do there is remove any dead leaves back to the stem and cut the dead ends off the rest.
I will have a good look tomorrow when I go down to the lottie and see if there is much dead or damaged foliage.
I just remove the dead leaves in the springtime when I do my post winter clear up. I split the clumps if they get too big or become empty in the middle. Otherwise I put some compost round the plants and a sprinkling of bonemeal.