Dierama
Fairy Wand Flower
This spectacular little-known corm comes from South Africa and augments just about any design situation, especially when it can be viewed from below. Surprisingly tough and undeniably enchanting, Fairy Wands withstand coastal winds and fairly low temperatures, while preferring good drainage.
Aptly named ‘Autumn Sparkler’s singular statement is its glowing lilac-pink blooms, which are positioned in a unique upward-facing, nonpendulous manner, appearing in the autumn long after others in the genus have dwindled. Embellished with uncommon eye-shaped markings at the base of each petal and looking a bit like an Ixia, the somewhat open, close-set flowers become an easy-to-view beacon of late season loveliness on taut erect wands. A coveted, rare plant found only in the small South African region known as Ngome, this Dierama’s tidy compact clump deserves a protected, well-traveled haunt.
Blooms August–October
Size: 3' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 7.
A richly hued hybrid most likely parented by Dierama ‘Cosmos’ and Dierama robustum, this vigorous Dierama sprouts tough, slender, grass-style foliage plus fine fishing rod-like stems adorned with deep purple-maroon flowers. Stage the dainty drooping panicles of flared trumpet-shaped blooms waterside and watch the slightest breeze set them in motion.
Blooms June–August
Size: 3-1/2' – 4-1/4' high x 3' 0" – 4' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 7.
Deemed the darkest of the dark, this sought-after Dierama dazzles with draped flared bells bathed in seductive midnight-purple and burgundy shades, furnishing a dramatic contrast against papery silver-frosted bracts. Long-lived grassy evergreen blades plus curved fishing-pole-like stems anchor the sumptuous display. Included in Noel Kingsbury’s top-13 Dierama picks, ′Cosmos′ can be admired atop a retaining wall for easy viewing and skirted by lower growing plants such as Carex texensis and Nepeta ‘Snowflake’.
Blooms June–August
Size: 2-1/2' – 3-1/3' high x 2' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 7.
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Thin stems gracefully bow from the weight of pretty, pendulous pale pink to bright magenta flower bells that gather towards the tips. Decorative open blooms with curved back petals dress up a low growing, narrow bladed tuft. Inhabiting higher altitudes, this species possesses a welcome fortitude for slightly colder temperatures.
Blooms June–August.
Size: 20" – 2' 0" high x 12" wide.
Zone 6/7.
Dierama dracomontanum (P-0639)
Each $12.00
Indigenous to South Africa’s Drankensberg Mountains, at elevations often over 8000 ft., where it’s known to cover entire slopes, this cold-hardy evergreen Dierama is small on stature, but big on flower power. Graceful arching stems leap from a snug grassy green clump, while premiering a pendant bee-friendly plethora of flared bell-like flowers with pointed tepals that range in color from rosy mauve to salmon-pink. Recommended by Noel Kingsbury in his recent article about Dieramas, Dierama dracomontanum′s diminutive fine-textured habit can be nestled between rocks or staged in a sunny border′s frontlines alongside Nepeta reichenbachiana and Stachys ‘Densiflorus’
Blooms June–August
Size: 2' 0" – 3' 0" high x 2' 0" – 3-1/2' wide.
Hardy to zone 7.
Each $12.00
Indigenous to South Africa’s open grasslands, this vigorous Dierama sports a smaller stature than Dierama pulcherrimum. Slender blade-like green leaves boost a wealth of pendulous, wide-flaring lilac to rosy-pink flowers that lend a lighthearted charm wherever they unfurl.
Blooms July–September
Size: 3' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 7.
Narrow evergreen blade-like leaves, supple slender stems and silver-laced papery calyces set the stage for a beguiling floral display of pendent fairy-style bells suffused in deep lavish blackberry shades. Position ‘Merlin’ against a golden-leafed or steel-hued backdrop, supply well-drained soil with adequate summer water and enjoy the magic.
Blooms June–August
Size: 3' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 7.
Each $12.00
With fairy-tale appeal, ample-sized bright lilac blooms are suspended from sturdy arching stems. Vigorous grass-like foliage maintains a relatively low profile beneath the bounty of flared flowers.
Blooms June–August
Size: 2' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 7.
Each $12.00
The splendid, narrow pink flowers and papery, pearlescent calyces are clustered on strong, yet ultrathin nodding stems above low slender foliage. One of the earliest Dieramas to bloom, this delicate looking dwarf evergreen species is a comely candidate for the rockery, a patio container or small-scale settings.
Blooms June–August
Size: 2' 0" – 3' 0" high x 4' 0" – 5' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 7.
Arising from tall clumps of upright, grasslike blades, graceful curving canes display pendant and wide-flaring, purplish pink flowers. This Dierama’s profusion of charming, bell-shaped blossoms can be coupled with yellow blooming Phygelius ‘Moonraker’ for a festive effect.
Blooms June–August.
Size: 4' 0" – 5' 0" high x 4' 0" – 5' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 8.
Even though ‘Alba’ is smaller than Dierama pulcherrimum, it has larger, white, more bell-styled flowers that brightly charm its thin supple stems, unusual chartreuse calyxes, and slender less flexible, more upright leaves. This nimble-looking evergreen can be nestled into paving cracks along a terrace or sited near a pool and is most extraordinary when backlit and planted en masse.
Blooms June – August.
Size: 4' 0" high x 3' 0" – 4' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 8.
Introduced by Britain’s acclaimed Plant World Seeds, this new distinctive cultivar regales us with plentiful clusters of flared bright pink blooms. Unfurling in an unique outward or upward-facing fashion, the ornate fairytale flowers gambol above attractive narrow blades on copious sturdy and slender upright stems. A relatively compact Dierama erectum descendant, ‘Pink Rocket’s robust evergreen mound can be ensconced amid rock work or perched atop a staircase.
Blooms June–August
Size: 3' 0" high x 18" wide.
Hardy to zone 7.
Dierama ‘Plant World Jewels’ (P-2264)
Each $12.00
Blooms June–August
Hardy to zone 7.
Dierama pulcherrimum var. album (P-1868)
Each $12.00
Draped in elegance, numerous arcs of narrow stems carry flaring crepe paper-like snowy-white bells. The nodding pearlescent flowers illuminate long strap-like deep green leaves that form a clumping evergreen base. Well-suited for gravel gardens, borders or raised beds, this spectacular white Dierama can be mixed with ornamental grasses or fellow South African denizens plus other perennials.
Blooms June–August
Size: 4' 0" – 5' 0" high x 4' 0" – 5' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 7.
Like a kinetic sculpture in the wind, this Dierama’s elegant pink bellflowers dangle from strong, wiry stems that arch above its stiff, linear foliage. As a specimen against a darker background or on a slope, Dierama pulcherrimum will bring drama to your garden.
Blooms June–August.
Size: 4' 0" – 5' 0" high x 4' 0" – 5' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 7.
Thin stems gracefully bow from the weight of lovely, pendulous floral bells infused with dark cherry-purple hues. The vivid pageantry dresses up a clump of narrow tapered blades that’s similar to the species.
Blooms June–August
Size: 4' 0" – 5' 0" high x 4' 0" – 5' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 7.
Dierama pulcherrimum ‘Painted Tips’ (P-1516)
Each $12.00
Achieving a painterly aspect, each lovely pale pink bell features a darker brush stroke along its tips. Fishing pole-thin stems showcase the draped splendor above a mound of narrow blade-like leaves.
Blooms June–August
Size: 3-1/2' – 4' 0" high x 3-1/2' wide.
Hardy to zone 7.
Dierama pulcherrimum ‘Silver Dawn’ (P-0363)
Each $12.00
A study in delicacy, ethereal-looking pale pink flowers dangle from tall arching lean stems, appearing more bell-shaped and less flared than those of Dierama. pendulum. ‘Silver Dawn’s thick grassy evergreen clumps can grace the rockery or a raised bank with Salvia ‘Vatican White’ nearby.
Blooms June–August
Size: 4' 0" – 5' 0" high x 4' 0" – 5' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 7.
Blooms June–August
Hardy to zone 7.
Dierama pulcherrimum ‘Summer Snow’ (P-1515)
Each $12.00
Lithe stems elevate countless good-sized pure white bells that look a bit like a mesmerizing snow flurry. The pendent luminous flowers sashay above a Iris-styled clump of slightly stiff blade-like bluish green leaves.
Blooms June–August
Size: 4' 0" – 5' 0" high x 4' 0" – 5' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 7.
Each $12.00
Named for Dr. G. W. Reynolds, an optician, Aloe authority and Dierama fan, this gorgeous Dierama was discovered in the higher elevation grasslands of the KwaZulu-Natal region on a 1832 collecting trip. Lengthy arching stems present the posh, 1 in. long dangling wine-red flowers, which are nestled amid white pewter-laced tissue-like bracts, boldly setting off the pointed tepals. Highly favored by plant designer Noel Kingsbury, Dierama reynoldsii′s upright, narrow-bladed 2 ft. tall clump imparts peerless enchantment to small containers, rockeries, cottage gardens and even cut creations.
Blooms June–August
Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 3' 0" – 3-1/2' wide.
Hardy to zone 7.
Exhibiting the grace of a dancer, its thin arching stems present pendulous, flared bells, ranging in color from milky white to mauve pink. One of the tallest Dierama species and quite hardy, the sizable clumps of imposing blades and dainty flowers look especially alluring in a container.
Blooms June–August.
Size: 5' 0" – 6' 0" high x 4' 0" – 5' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 8.