Devil's Fishing Rod
Dierama pulcherrimum · Iridaceae
📷 Jim Linwood from London · CC BY 2.0
The gardener's calendar
Devil's fishing rod is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Type
- Bulb
- Adult height
- 120 cm
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- July to September
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Fairly hardy (-10 to -15 °C)
- Origin
- South Africa
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Dierama loves well-drained soil and a sunny spot—waterlogging can weaken it over winter. Plant it on a slight mound if your ground is heavy clay.
The common mistake
Planting it in wet or poorly drained soil; rhizome rot sets in before the first winter.
The pro's trick
Plant on a slope or raised bed, avoid low spots where water pools.
Care
Exposure
Dierama demands full sun for optimal and generous flowering. Install it in a location receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Partial shade would considerably reduce flower production and weaken the plant.
Watering
Water regularly during the active growing period (spring and summer), keeping the soil moist but without water stagnation. Reduce watering in autumn and winter when the plant enters dormancy. Favor well-draining soil to prevent bulb rot.
Soil
Choose well-draining, light soil rich in organic matter. An addition of compost or peat will improve structure and moderate water retention. Avoid heavy or clay soils that would retain water and promote rotting.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer or potassium-rich fertilizer once monthly during the growing period (April to August). Stop fertilizing in autumn and winter to respect the bulb's natural dormancy period.
Pruning and maintenance
Remove spent flowers as they fade to prolong flowering. Let the foliage dry naturally in autumn before cutting it back to ground level. Divide bulbs every 3 to 4 years in autumn to rejuvenate clumps and encourage vigor.
Diseases and pests
Dierama is generally resistant if growing conditions are respected. Watch for bulb rot in overly moist or poorly drained soil. Occasionally check for spider mites or thrips, especially in dry conditions.
Did you know?
The name "dierama" means "fairy's tear" in ancient Greek, referring to its small tubular flowers that seem to hang delicately like drops at the end of graceful, arching stems. Native to the high plateaus of South Africa, this captivating plant conquered European and North American gardens in the 19th century, becoming an emblem of lightness and elegance in floral compositions.
Where to buy it
Plant the bulbs in autumn for spring flowering. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from September to November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.