At last! Dierama flowers!

its so beautiful,,,, i think it was well worth the wait

Lovely Sid. I don't think I've seen them before. I looked in one of my books and it said that they are a bulb. Mabybe thats why they took so long, waiting to mature. I don't know I am only guessing. The book also said they are known as "Angel's fishing rod" which is rather nice.

Hi Chris - yes it does form a bulb, but the plant is in fact evergreen and grass-like, which makes the flower even more surprising, coming as it does from a grassy-looking plant. The name Angel's fishing rod comes from the fact that the very slender flower spike arches over - it looks lovely next to a pond. I've planted one of the others I've got next to my new pond, so hopefully that one MIGHT flower this year too - it's looking promising!

Worth the long wait Sid, it beautiful

How funny, you and i share something other than our names. I too have coveted this plant for ages, took me a while to figure out what it was and then I finally found some plants at my favourite nursery, no flowers yet and this is their 3rd summer. Good to know I shouldn't give up hope.

How patient you have been, Sid! What a beautiful reward after all this time. I didn't know they took so long to flower. You must be delighted - as I would be!

Sarah - don't give up! Yours might flower sooner than mine as I kept mine in pots for their first few years as I was afraid they would get swamped and lost if I planted them out in the garden. Having said that, I planted out one of mine only early this spring and I've had a bit of a feel of the main shoot and it feels quite plump, so I think it might produce a flower too. Good luck with yours!

Barbara - I was indeed delighted - so much so that I did a little dance! More odd looks from the neighbours...oh, dear...

Sorry we missed your dance Sid. Next time a pic of you dancing over your flower successes might be entertaining!!!!

Hi. Sid , I have a Dierama I bought from a nursery some years ago. After I planted it I had to wait 2 yrs for it to flower, and when I moved I put it in a pot but it never flowered there. Now I've had my topsoil it is in the ground again so hoping for fls this yr. I can't remember which type it is. You did well growing them from seed. I don't think I'd have had the patience. Put some more photos of it when you can : )

Hi Sid!
Congratulations!

They grow wild near to where I live, although I don't have any wild ones myself. I have a book on them - one of those thick impressive 'all about the genus' type. There are VERY few plants where it is as difficult to tell the species apart! Yours however does look like D. pulcherrimum to me. It seems the most common in cultivation, both here and overseas. I have it and a smaller, shorter, earlier, mauve one aplenty, as well as a special gift from a friend, a stunning white version of D.p.! It is truly exquisite. I will post some pics! (I'm writing from work now).

I planted seed of the white some 3-4 years ago. As you say, quick and keen germination... and then a wait. In fact mine are still in 128-plug trays, although they need planting out this winter (Southern hemisphere, you know!) I'm hoping for my first flowers this summer. As they grow amongst pink ones I don't know how true to type they will be.

I have found that some years they are wonderful and flower for months, others they are poor to pathetic. It seems we often have too much moisture which causes fungal disease and possibly even some rot, so I recommend good drainage. As my garden is vast I don't do pampering, and most plants must muck through as best they can.

Jack

Hello Jack - thanks for all the wonderful info and the positive ID! I must admit I'm a little envious that you have these growing wild! The white version sounds to die for - I haven't come across those at all here. Re the drainage - don't think I have to worry on that score as my garden is VERY free draining - you can pour water on the soil and it just disappears instantly.

I'm looking forward to seeing photos of your garden - there was a TV programme on here a while ago about gardens and plants in South Africa - it was facinating to see where some of our 'common' garden plants come from and to see them growing wild. Definately on my 'place to visit before I die' list!

Sarah (Sid)

Chris - I'll see what I can do! x-)

Blodyn - sorry your's hasn't flowered since being moved - be patient tho, expect it's just in a huff after being disturbed - it will probabaly forgive you eventually! Will defo post more pics are the flowers open more fully :-)

It might be D. pendulum. I also grow pulchella and paucifolia. They thrive in the Pacific Northwest.

Don't see them very often over here Herb - so it's hard to compare the species. Think garden centres don't bother selling them coz they don't flower well in containers and thereby 'sell themselves'. It's a pity - they are lovely plants.

Yes Sid, and that is a sad commentary on an industry that has gone much down the tube. I know I will get flack on this, but what is available on the local wholesale level (by species, not cultivars of one petunia over another) is half what it used to be in the eighties. At least that is so in CA. Oregon and WA. are a bit better in that regard.

The demise of just one exceptional specialty grower is a major loss and that is what has happened in CA. USA.

I saw your picture of D. pulchirrimum - looks more delicate than mine. So maybe mine is D. pendula?