Dierama pulcherrimum Alba

Dierama pulcherrimum 'Alba' is a variety of angel's fishing rod that bears pure white flower stems measuring 1.2m (4ft) in height. This graceful perennial produces a tuft of upright, very fine leaves similar to those of grasses. From June to July, long and flexible flower stems emerge, overhanging the foliage and bending under the weight of their pretty, bell-shaped flowers with flared petals, which are light and delicate like the foliage. This plant is a perennial plant with corms that is hardy down to -7 °C and thrives in heat and full sun. It requires delicate cultivation, so plant it in light, moist to wet soil with a layer of thick mulch in cold climates.  

Dierama pulcherrimum is a slow-growing perennial plant with corms, belonging to the Iridaceae family. This perennial is native to the wet and marshy meadows of East Africa and South Africa. Its vegetation is more or less evergreen in winter depending on the climate. The 'Alba' variety is hardy down to approximately -7 °C, in very well-draining soil. It resembles a grass, with an upright clump composed of green leaves reaching a minimum height of 50cm (20in) and, after many years, a base diameter of 60cm (24in). In summer, from July to August, long, thin, and sturdy flower stems up to 1.20m (4ft) tall emerge from the foliage, gracefully bending under the weight of the blooms. They bear branched spikes of bell-shaped or tubular flowers, measuring 6cm (2in) long at their tips, which open one after the other. The nectar-rich flowers attract many pollinating insects. Fertilised flowers give way to small, oval capsules containing numerous small, hard brown seeds that will germinate after the winter cold. Plants grown from seed will flower after 5 to 7 years of cultivation.

Invite Diarama 'Alba' into your garden, as it deserves a prominent place planted in a large pot on the patio, placed in isolation, along a pathway, or in a bed not far from water. Dierama pulcherrimum is very well suited to coastal areas where it appreciates the humid atmosphere and can withstand the salty sea breeze. This plant looks stunning in a bed alongside grasses (Miscanthus, Eragrostis, Panicum), Phormium, lychnis, or along a pathway, especially when the light shines through its flowered vegetation from behind. Near a pond, it can be paired, for example, with loosestrifes, lamb's ears, purple phormium, Gomphostigma virgatum Silver Butterfly, or even meadow rues (Thalictrum delavayi, Thalictrum flavum ssp. Glaucum).