Family: lridaceae
Common Name: Wand Flower, Fairy Fishing Rod

Members of the Iris family, these mostly cold-tolerant plants from tropical and South Africa have corms, long, sword-shaped leaves, and graceful, arching stems bearing tassels of pretty, funnel-shaped flowers. Most flower in summer, although in warmer areas they can be spring bloomers. Generally planted in moist soil at the edge of a pool.

Species

D. pendulum, fairy fishing rod, zone 7, grows to 1 m (3 ft) or more, with long, nodding stems bearing flowers in pink through to lilac.

D. pulcherrimum, to 1 m (3 ft), has drooping, pink flowers. Var. album, with white flowers, is one of several named varieties.

Cultivation

Diorama prefers rich, well-drained vet moist soil, with some protection from wind. Propagate from seed or from offsets of the corms produced in spring. Divide large, con­gested clumps in autumn or late winter. Divisions will probably not flower the first season.

Climate

Mainly zone 9.