Dierama erectum Pink Rocket

Dierama 'Pink Rocket', poetically called Angel's Fishing Rod or Venus's Fishing Rod, is a horticultural hybrid with a compact and floriferous habit, producing numerous flexible stems laden with bright pink campanulate flowers, which are less trailing than those of usual varieties. This adorable evergreen perennial has the appearance of a grass. It makes an ideal centrepiece in a flower bed or planted in a pretty pot on a patio It spreads year after year in moist but well-drained soil.

Dierama 'Pink Rocket' is a horticultural hybrid derived from D. erectum, a cormous perennial plant native to the south African mountainous prairies, particularly the Drakensberg. This variety from the Iridaceae family presents itself somewhat like a grass, with an erect tuft composed of green leaves resembling those of some irises, in the shape of narrow, gramineous swords. Reaching a height of 35 to 40cm (14 to 16in), it will eventually form a 30cm (12in) diameter clump at the base after many years. From August to September-October, numerous long, slender and sturdy stems, not exceeding 60 to 70cm (24 to 28in) in length, emerge from the foliage, bending under the weight of the flowering. They bear densely branched spikes filled with bright pink bell-shaped flowers, directed upwards or outwards. These flowers are inserted in white bracts that give the flowering a bright appearance. The nectar-rich flowers attract many pollinating insects. The fertilised flowers give way to small ovoid capsules containing numerous small, quite hard brown seeds, which will germinate after the winter cold. Plants grown from seeds will flower after 5 to 7 years of cultivation. This variety reproduces fairly faithfully through sowing.

Dierama 'Pink Rocket' is so poetic that it seems inhabited by a deity of wet places. Its exceptional beauty deserves the effort of growing it in the garden. Plant this wonder in the sun in light and moist soil, and protect it in winter in cold regions. This perennial is hardy down to -8 to -10°C (17.6 to 14°F) in dry soil in winter. It is well adapted to the seaside, and tolerates the wind carrying salt spray. It also grows very well in a large pot filled with sand and compost. In the ground, it is superb in the company of grasses (Miscanthus, Eragrostis, Panicum), or as a border plant, especially when the light shines through its flowering vegetation. Near a pond, it can be planted with Ethiopian arums, willowherbs, ribbons of bergenia, a purple phormium, and meadow rues (Thalictrum delavayi, Thalictrum flavum subsp. Glaucum).