Dierama pulcherrimum (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period: Summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 1.5m
Eventual Spread: 60cm
Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Family: Iridaceae
Subfamily: Ixioideae
Dierama pulcherrimum is an evergreen corm perennial with an upright habit. Its grey/ green leaves are strap shaped with entire margins, up to 60 cm long and 1cm across. Its pale pink flowers are bell shaped, up to 6cm long, pendulous and appear as panicles on tall arching stems. Its roots appear from corms.
Dierama pulcherrimum Flower (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)
Dierama pulcherrimum, commonly known as Angel’s Fishing Rod, Wedding Bells or Wandflowers, is native to South Africa. In its native habitat this plant grows in open grassland.
The etymological root of the binomial name Dierama is from the Greek menaing ‘funnel’. Pulcherrimum is derived from the Latin pulcher meaning ‘pretty’.
Dierama pulcherrimum Leaf (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)
The landscape architect may find Dierama pulcherrimum useful as part of a prairie type planting scheme. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.
Ecologically, Dierama pulcherrimum flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, including bees and butterflies.
Dierama pulcherrimum prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate poor soils.This plant will not tolerate wet soils (particularly during the winter months).
Dierama pulcherrimum requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in spring
Landscape Architecture
