I've started them from seed a few times, but have yet to have them come back the following year here in MN. The ones I've sent or taken to my sister in Kansas though are doing fine - come back and spread a bit each year.

Hi Melissa, Are you referring to the ones in the High Country Gardens cat? I saw those as well and was wondering about them too.

oh hey!
Kniphofia hirsuta 'Fire Dance'

This is the listing I saw: http://www.gardenimport.com/spblvl3.php?lvl=Kniphofia&nm=Kniphofia&ref=KN3025

Here is a link that might be useful: Kniphofia hirsuta 'Fire Dance'

I just checked HCG cat and the one they list for zone 4 is Kniphofia uvaria Hybrid Mix. They also have 'Fire Dance' but there they list it as zone 5. It seems to be cheaper though if you want to try it. I toyed with the idea but I have so many other plants I want plus I promised a friend to help her revamp a long border and I know I'll be putting in lots of hours there, so I'm trying to exercise some restraint...for however long it lasts.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kniphofia uvaria

I just did a little more searching and most sites list hirsuta as the hardiest. The hardiness listings are all over the place. Some list it to zone 4, others 5, some 6 and one said 7. I guess it's one of those you have to try and see what happens. Forestfarm had them for $5.95. I've never ordered from them but they are pretty highly rated on Garden Watchdog.

Here is a link that might be useful: Forestfarm

Guess what I found at a local nursery?

'Fire Dance' is listed as zone 4 hardy at that nursery and they at least guarantee thru the current growing season, so I think I might give it a shot.

On another forum, some have said it prefers a sandy soil, which tends more toward clay. So, I might try it in a pot with some very well draining potting medium... possibly a cactus medium, since what I've read says it's native to arid regions.

Good luck with it. Let us know how it does.

I betcha its as dead as road kill next year.

I started that one year and planted it out, nothing happened. It died and I haven't seen it since.
I'd love to know if it works for you though!
Good luck,
Tina

I have had one for three years now. I purchased it at Friends School Plant Sale. It has not bloomed yet . . . maybe this will be the year.

- Adam

how did things turn out? I saw magnificent plants in the U.P.(specifically the Hurley/Ironwood area), so thinking if you have good snow cover, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the plant.

I love to zone push, and you certainly can with snow and microclimates!

I bought one, and didn't plant it. It's still in the nursery container. I overwintered it in the garage.

It's now outside, but no signs of green yet. So, not sure if it's a late one or not.

We had pretty much NO snow cover, so, we'll just have to wait & see.

I ended up putting mine in the garage over the winter and it did come back.

I have it in a morning sun location right now and it has not sent up any bloom spikes, yet.

I do hope it does.

Pics please when it blooms!

I just bought 2 of them this spring. But we are a solid zone 5 here (because of the lake effect weather) and I can grow things I'd have never dreamed of growing in MN. I hope they do well. They certainly are beautiful!

I also bought one a few years ago from friends plant sale... bloomed the following spring... it maybe a z5, but since its closer to the house, it does fine. It is now starting to produce offshoot plants that I hope to transplant into other areas of my garden. It is the 'flamenco' variety and blooms in the spring. I would love to add some later blooming ones if anyone would like to trade...

Mine survived this past winter, a winter in which I lost some established hosta clumps. Go figure. It has not bloomed yet.

Menards had them this summer in bloom so I got some more to try in different spots.

Anybody still have theirs going? How are they doing?