Dierama pulcherrimum

Dierama pulcherrimum, poetically called Angel's Fishing Rod or Venus's Fishing Rod, is a perennial plant that is so enchanting in full bloom that it truly seems inhabited by a deity of wet places. Among its grass-like foliage, it produces long, flexible, and arched stems that bear pink flower-bells in summer. It is infinitely graceful when backlit, trembling at the slightest breath of wind. It deserves a special place, whether in a large pot on a patio, planted alone, along a path, or in a bed not far from a water source. Moderately hardy, it thrives in the sun, in moist but well-drained soil with a tendency towards acidity.

Dierama pulcherrimum is an evergreen plant with corms. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is native to the wet and marshy meadows of East Africa and South Africa. It resembles a grass, with an upright tuft composed of green leaves resembling those of certain irises. The leaves are narrow sword-shaped and grass-like, reaching a height of 50cm (20in) and, after many years, spreading to a diameter of 1m (3ft) at the base. From June to August, long, slender, and sturdy stems, reaching a length of 1 to 1.5m (3 to 5ft), emerge from the foliage, bending under the weight of the flowering. At their ends, they bear branched spikes of bell-shaped or tubular flowers, 6cm (2in) long, which bloom one after the other. The nectariferous flowering attracts many pollinating insects. The fertilised flowers give way to small oval capsules containing numerous small, fairly hard, brown seeds, which will germinate after the winter cold. Plants grown from seeds will bloom after 5 to 7 years of cultivation.

Plant this marvel in a sunny spot with light and moist soil, and protect it in winter. Its exceptional beauty is well worth attempting to grow it in the garden. Dierama pulcherrimum is hardy down to -8°C (17.6°F). It is very well adapted to the seaside, and can withstand wind carrying salty spray. This plant also thrives in a large pot filled with sand and potting soil. In the ground, it looks stunning when paired with grasses (Miscanthus, Eragrostis, Panicum), or along a path, especially when the light shines through its flowering vegetation from behind. Near a pond, it can be planted with, for example, willowherbs, shepherd's ribbons, a purple phormium, or meadow-rues (Thalictrum delavayi, Thalictrum flavum ssp. Glaucum).