librarian2003 (![]() ![]() @ 2009-01-25 18:51:00 |
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Entry tags: | dierama, plant of the week |
Week 2 - Plant of the week - Dierama
Our plant of the week for week 2 is teh lovely Dierama - both the species D. dracomontanum, and the cultivar D. pulcherrimum 'Blackbird'.
We saw trhe pictures last week, when we were looking at the seeds we intend to sow this term. Here's the handout:
GARDENING FOR PLEASURE
Plant of the Week
Dierama ‘Blackbird’
Dierama dracomontanum
Family: Iridaceae Angel’s Fishing Rod, Wand Flower
This is a genus of 44 species of perennials growing from corms, usually found in moist, mountainous grassland in Ethiopia, E. and S. tropical Africa and South Africa. Corms, which are produced annually, form chains of old corms, similar to Crocosmia, one on top of another. These are exquisite hardy evergreen plants bearing graceful pendulous bell- or funnel- shaped flowers on long arching stems, which sway gracefully in the breeze. Flower colour varies from white through pink & mauve to deep magenta. They make an excellent border plant, and also thrive in gravel. Grass-like leaves are up to 36 inches, and flowering stems up to 6 ft.
Dierama are hardy in the UK although can be damaged by the combination of hard frost and winter wetness. Plant 2 – 2 ½ inches deep, in a moist but well drained sunny spot – e.g. on a bank or raised bed, that neither dries out in summer nor becomes waterlogged in winter, allowing plenty of space to prevent overcrowding and show the plant to its best advantage. Dierama do not flower well in pots.
Grow in humus-rich, well-drained soil in a sheltered site in full sun, watering freely during the growing season. Apply a general purpose fertilizer such as blood, fish and bone or growmore in spring. Divisions and young plants are hard to establish, but once settled are trouble-free.
They associate well with ornamental grasses, and are attractive near water.
Sow seeds in spring, January to April, thinly, as soon as it is ripe, in pots of John Innes seed compost and place in a cold frame. Prick out and grow on with one seedling per pot in a frost-free place. Plant out in the garden the following spring. Flowering often takes three to five years from seed.
The plants are evergreen, but nevertheless undergo a rest period from autumn to the end of winter, during which they are able to survive relatively dry conditions, whereas from early spring until late summer they require regular heavy watering. As the corms are never completely dormant, they should not be lifted and stored dry as this will soon lead to desiccation and death within a few weeks.
The plants require as sunny a position as possible and it is important to note that even during their winter rest phase, they must receive adequate sun or very bright light for them to flower well. They form dense clumps with age and these should be left undisturbed for up to five years or more, until flowering frequency diminishes, or propagation material is required. Any division should be done in spring. The green leaves of all dieramas should never be cut back as this severely retards growth and flowering; only the outer, brown, old leaves should be removed by gentle tugging.
Dierama was first cultivated in Europe as recently as 1825, by a private grower in London. There is a high probability that field-collected corms would have been damaged in removal, and the long sea voyage, would have made the chances of these plants' survival en route before then distinctly poor. The generic name is derived from the Greek word dierama, meaning a funnel.
1 Dierama ‘Blackbird’
‘Blackbird’ is a form of Dierama pulcherrimum, and is perhaps the darkest-flowered of all. It has wiry stems and cascades of deep claret-mauve blooms, and it comes fairly true from seed. Height 3-4 ft.
2 Dierama dracomontanum
D. dracomontanum comes from the Drakensberg range from the Orange Free State to the eastern Cape. It can be so common as to dominate entire mountain slopes between 5000' and 9000'. It has slightly broader leaves than the more common forms, with terracotta pink flowers which flare open, crowded towards the end of the pendulous stems. Height to 28".
Sowing advice: Cover with compost or grit 5mm deep. Keep moist in a cool, covered light spot outside. No heat needed. Often spring germinators. Grow on seedlings in 3" pots. Plant out in good garden soil.
Jo Hanslip
January 2009
Let's keep our fingers crossed thyat we succeed with them!
Jo