You either love them or hate them. But you can say that about many plants: gardening is all about personal choices. The importance of red hot pokers in herbaceous borders was recognised by Gertrude Jekyll and William Robinson, as they sought their hot reds and oranges.

More recently, and with new cultivars available, garden designers are still using red hot pokers in their 'hot borders'. The effect is exotic, even tropical, elevating a border from its Englishness. Red hot pokers come from South Africa and like it hot, so grow them in the hottest part of the garden. Some varieties, like 'Atlanta', do particularly well in coastal areas.

Looking Good:
See amazing red hot pokers in the new hot borders at Hunstrete House, near Bath, during the spring.

Best With:
Try growing them with ornamental blue cedars and abutilons. For more ideas, see the Hot and Dry Garden and Exotic Garden.