Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Red Hot Pokers

I was sitting the Figuratively Speaking Show at KAGS today and while at the front desk I was working on a number of small floral paintings.

This one is of Kniphofia 'Shenandoah'  also called Tritoma, Red hot poker, Torch lily or Poker plant and is from a family of plants that includes over 70 species native to Africa.

These tall, dramatic plants produce thick, leafless stems topped with spikes of upright, tubular flowers that are set among sword shape leaves. The brilliantly colored flowers are red on top changing through orange to yellow at bottom; which is why they are given names such as "torch" and "red hot poker".

The flowers when they appear in early summer produce nectar which will attract hummingbirds and butterflies into the garden.

This original 3-1/2" x 5-1/2" framed watercolour is available for $125.00.