About
Dierama medium, the hair-bell, is a wandflower producing the characteristic slender, arching stems and nodding, medium-sized, bell-shaped flowers of the genus. A graceful and ornamental plant for a sunny, well-drained border.
About the genus
Dierama, the wandflowers or African hairbells, are evergreen, clump-forming cormous perennials with long, narrow leaves and slender, arching stems bearing nodding, bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, mauve, purple or white in summer. Among the most graceful of all South African garden plants.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Bulbs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden
Native toSouth Africa, Lesotho
Care notes
CultivationGrow in humus-rich, well-drained soil in a sheltered situation with full sun
PruningTidy any winter damaged foliage by cutting to the base in spring
PropagationPropagate by seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe. They may resent disturbance so leave until really congested before division of clumps in spring. Do not allow the corms to dry out. They may take 1-2 years to flower freely again
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free