Dierama T&M Species Mixed

This collection of Dierama T&M Species Mixed, poetically called angel's fishing rod, brings together different species with varied and infinitely delicate flowering. Forming clumps of ribbon-like foliage, these evergreen perennials bloom in summer with long gracefully arching inflorescences adorned with small pale or vibrant pink, mauve or violet bell-shaped flowers, carried on aerial stems. These plants are perfect at the edge of water features or in borders with moist soil. Best suited to mild climates or attentive gardeners, they thrive in sun or partial shade, in deep, moist, rich, well-drained soil.

The genus Dierama comprises various species belonging to the Iridaceae family. They are all native to the valleys of tropical and southern Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, and Lesotho). T&M Species Mixed brings together plants that flower in a wide range of colours. This mixture produces plants with an upright tufted habit and tall, erect, strap-like leaves, measuring 50 to 60cm (20 to 24in) in height, with a spread of 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in), depending on the climate and soil. The foliage is evergreen, and the plants can tolerate temperatures down to around -7°C (19.4°F). The nectar-rich flowering period occurs in summer, from June to August. Tall, slender, flexible stems emerge from the foliage, carrying long branched spikes adorned with small bell-shaped flowers that gracefully bend. The flowers can be pale-pink, brighter pink, red, mauve, carmine or violet, depending on the plants, and they open one after the other on the spikes. The flowering is followed by the formation of small oval capsules containing numerous brown, hard seeds that require cold temperatures to break dormancy. Dierama is a cormous plant, with a flattened underground storage organ that appears in a chain, covered with a fibrous tunic. Plants grown from seed take 5 to 7 years to flower, so it is best to avoid moving them as they do not tolerate transplanting well.

Plant them in constantly moist, even damp, but well-drained soil to ensure their survival in winter. They will thrive alongside astilbes, vernonias, meadowsweets, and Ethiopian arums. They are very graceful plants but a little temperamental. Therefore, choose a sunny and sheltered location that is cool in summer and dry in winter. They are perfect for swaying in the breeze in gardens with the appropriate climate, in borders, mixed borders, flower beds, gravel gardens paired with grasses, near water features, or simply in pots.