Common Name: angel's fishing rods
Type: Bulb
Family: Iridaceae
Native Range: South Africa
Zone: 7 to 9
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: June to August
Bloom Description: Purplish-pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use: Annual
Flower: Showy
Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 7-9 where it prefers an organically rich, well-drained soil in full sun. In St. Louis, plants should be grown in containers and overwintered indoors. Keep container soils uniformly moist during the growing season. Reduce watering as the foliage begins to die back and bring container indoors before first fall frost for storage in a cool and dry location.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Dierama pendulum, commonly called wand flower, is native to Africa. It is a cormous perennial that is noted for producing a clump of grass-like leaves (to 2’ tall) and arching wiry flower stems (to 3’ tall) topped by spikes of pendulous bell-shaped flowers. Flowers are purplish-pink and bloom in summer. Corms (to 1” diameter). Although not winter hardy in St. Louis, this plant may be grown in containers as an annual. Also commonly known as grassy bells.
Genus name comes from the Greek word dierama meaning a funnel from the shape of the flower.
Specific epithet means hanging or pendulous.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Containers. In areas where winter hardy, grow in beds, borders or cottage gardens. Good along at the edge of ponds and water gardens.