About
Dierama pulcherrimum, angel's fishing rod, is one of the most graceful and elegant of all border perennials, forming a clump of long, narrow, evergreen leaves with tall, arching stems to 1.5 m bearing nodding, pendant bell-like, rosy-purple flowers 4�6 cm long in summer. A classic and beautiful 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 moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-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 toSE Africa
Care notes
CultivationGrow in humus-rich, well-drained soil in a sheltered situation with full sun. Avoid planting in soils prone to staying wet. Plant in spring. Further dierama cultivation advice
PruningTidy any winter-damaged foliage by cutting to the base in spring
PropagationPropagate by seed sown 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