Thursday, July 23, 2009

What's in a name?

I used to hate these flowers. They seemed so stiff and took up a lot of space. Then my brother-in-law gave us one. We call it a Red Hot Poker and it's proper name is Kniphofia - say that three times fast. Apparently, it has another couple of names: Torch Lily and Tritomas.



There used to be a lot of flower stalks but recently we've been limited to one. This year is no different. Lots of little plants but only one has flowered. I stopped disliking them when it first bloomed. I watched it slowly acquire its colors. Then, just as slowly, the petals wither and a huge seed head is left. Then the chickadees visit and hang off the stalk pecking out the seeds.


I'll put up with anything to make the birds happy.

4 comments:

Joanna said...

We've got a few of those as well and we see the hummingbirds visit them from time to time.

Rudee said...

It's a beautiful flower. I hope you get hummingbirds.

Mimi said...

Have never seen this flower before. I like it- reminds me of corn on the cob, and yellow is one of my favourite colours.
Lovely photos.

Stephanie V said...

Joanna and Rudee - I've not seen the hummers near this flower. But they are spoiled for choice.

Mimi - I never thought about the cob aspect. It really is like that when the flowers are gone.

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