Fairy Wand

Fri, 10/22/2010 - 4:10pm — Kathy Ormiston

Photo Credit:

Kathy Ormiston, PADG

Botanical Name:

Dierama

Pronunciation:

(dy-er-AH-muh)

Common Name:

Fairy Wand

Plant Type:

Bulb

Mature Size:

Leaves to 2 ft. long, stems 4-7 ft. tall

Water Requirements:

Low: water every 3 weeks until the root ball is wet

Sun/Shade Requirements:

Full sun

Flower Color :

Purplish pink to pink to white

Fairy wand, also know as angel's fishing rod, has stunning flowers on long arching stems. It is definitely a "what is that?!" plant when it blooms in late spring and early summer. Be sure to put it in a spot that will showcase its tall blooms.

Sunset Western Garden Book says this plant needs regular water, but we've gotten by with our once every three weeks watering regime. When fairy wand gets too big, we have successfully divided the corms and replanted them in new spots. This plant can self-sow but in our garden, with our heavy mulching, this hasn't been much of a problem. If reseeding is a problem in your garden, you may want to deadhead the flowers before they set seed.

Fairy wand is usually evergreen in our climate, however, we cut back the leaves after they start looking ratty in mid-summer. Otherwise this is a pretty trouble-free plant with a big impact when it blooms.