This Kniphofia uvaria maxima is more delicately colored than its cousin, Kniphofia alcazar, whose vivid red-orange-yellow flower indeed resembles a flaming torch. Redder varieties often are called Red Hot Poker or Poker Plant. Of South African origin, the plants are perennial in most zones. They like full sun and can take drought but prefer plentiful water in summer. Some varieties reach 5 feet, and all do beautifully in the Ozarks.