A big thanks to Gary Z. of Davis, California for submitting today's photograph. Gary provided a lot of commentary with his image, so I'm going to liberally cut-and-paste from his message.
Gary writes: “The photograph was taken in my Pollinator Garden in Davis, CA. on 12/3/07. The hummingbirds like 'Christmas Cheer'. The first time that I saw a Kniphofia 'Christmas Cheer' was on a bicycle ride through the UC Davis Arboretum's Storer Garden on a foggy morning, and when I saw it I said “Wow!” It looked like it was lit up. I had get one of those. I ordered it from Cistus Nursery in Oregon, the ‘Home of Zonal Denial’”.
I also appreciate the following links that Gary sent along: information on Kniphofia 'Christmas Cheer' from a hummingbird listserv, the African Garden with reams of Kniphofia information, and, finally, the weblog Asphodelaceae Anonymous (which was new to me, but sadly doesn't look like it's been updated in some time).
Amazing plant, Daniel and Gary. Couldn't have timed this one better! Thanks.
thank you daniel
for our chistmas cheer
named for johannes hieronymus kniphof
1704 1763 erfurt univesity germany
plantzafrica
i am in central florida not far from selby gardens my view of the solitice moon and mars
was just breath takeing i hope that all in the
pathway will be able to see this not-to be seen
again for many years display - cheers
Kniphofia - Z8 - RHS Index of Garden Plants, Griffiths
Kniphofia nee-fof-ee-a Dictionary of Plant Names, Coombes
I am with the humming birds on this one!
What is the size of this plant and flower?
it appears to me....about 150' tall with diameter of about 50'..................but i'am a ant...!!....ho-ho-ho.....................................
This is beautiful and I am so happy to see the great Photograph.
Merry Christmas,
Thank you,
Margaret-Rae
Following up on my promise to check out the archive a bit, here I am two years late on this one.
I have(?) this one. I planted the summer before this post, actually. About late November that year, I dug it up and put it back in a pot because the inflorescences were rotting in the cold Oregon rain. It struggled in a pot for the next year and a half. I decided it was not doing well in the pot and that it was time to plant it and let fate take its course. It was planted up against the foundation on the south side of my house, with the hopes that the eave would protect it some.
Well, it is now a sad pile of dead leaves on this Chrismas Eve.
We dropped down to just below 9 degrees F a few weeks ago in the hills above Scappoose, Oregon. I'm hoping reports of its root hardiness are accurate. But, if not - oh well - you roll the dice when you play the Zonal Denial game and sometimes you get burned.
Such will be the case this winter of 2009-10.
I just wanted to wish you Happy Holidays and let you know that I really enjoy the Botany Photo of
the day. The photos are almost always wonderful and inspiring, and I always learn something new.
Great choice for today!