How To Grow Dierama Angel's Fishing Rod

Dierama angels fishing rod

Dierama is a herbaceous perennial with delicate arching plumes of bell-shaped flowers, which is also known as Angel's Fishing Rod.

The most commonly sold variety is Dierama pulcherrimum, which is the pale pink variety illustrated left. There is also an attractive dark red variety called D. pulcherrimum 'Blackbird'., illustrated top right.

Angel's fishing blends well planted with grasses, as in the image below, where Dierama is combined with Stipa tenuissima, a soft fluffy grass. It also teams up well with Agapanthus and looks fabulous alongside a pond or water dangling, or angling, over the side. When growing Dierama near a pond or water, it is important to ensure the ground is well drained, as Dierama does not grow well in wet conditions. There is also a white variety, D. argyreum which is hardy to -10.

Initially Angel's Fishing Rod can be slow growing and take 1-2 years to get established. 

Once it gets going, it is a green wheelbarrow plant needing very little time or attention. Dierama flowers mid summer onward from around July to end of September.  The only maintenance required is to remove old and tired foliage in early spring. 

Where and how to plant Dierema

Angel's Fishing Rod is grown from corms which are best planted in the spring about 5-7cms deep, in good, humus rich, well-drained soil and it needs shelter. You can buy pot-grown plants, which should be planted in a border at soil level. When initially planted, whether as a small plant or if grown from corms,  water well initially to ensure the corms are well hydrated and the plant does not dry out. Varieties vary in frost hardiness, from H3, hardy in only the mildest coastal areas of UK to H4 varieties which are hardy in most parts of the UK but Dierama will grow best in a sheltered spot and in cold areas, with winter protection. 

In the right conditions Dierama pulcherrimum will grow up to 1-1.5m and is H4 it is hardy to -10, with some protection. Dierma grows best in full sun, and is fussy, needing a sheltered spot, although it will grow in any soil, clay, sandy acid or alkaline. Other H4 varieties are D. dracomontanum, D. 'Miranda' and D. 'Titania'  It is important that the ground is well drained, Angel's fishing rod will not thrive in wet or waterlogged soil.

Dierama with grasses

Dierama can be propagated by division. Lift an established clump in the spring and cut into large sections and replant. The disturbance may interrupt flowering. Given that the hardest thing about growing Angel's Fishing Rod is getting them established and flowering, I would be inclined not to propagate and divide them, unless necessary. 

If Dierama is not the plant you are looking for, check out other Summer flowering plants, Summer planting combinations and ornamental and garden grasses for more ideas.

I took this image of Dierama flowering with grasses and Agapanthus at Bodnant garden in Wales which is a marvellous garden to visit with many areas to see and enjoy, highly recommended for a day out.

Dierama at Arley Hall

Dierama also looks good, just as a clump growing on its own to highlight the grace and beauty of the arching flowers. This is a mature plant which I photographed at Arley Hall, famous for its herbaceous borders.

Dierama planted as a specimen plant as in this image also shows off its graceful dance in the breeze.

If you are looking for movement in the border, Dierama is good, as are grasses and the tall, elegant Thalictrums.

Last updated 09.11.2021