Fairy Bells
- Botanical Name
- Dierama pendulum. ‘Alba’: D. pulcherrimum
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Plant Type
- Evergreen perennial
- Size (HxW)
- 60-110cm x 40-60cm. ‘Alba’: 100-150cm x 60cm
- Depth & Spacing
- Plant at the same level as in the pot with roots spread evenly below soil surface. Space 40-60cm apart, closer for a more immediate effect. Gently does it, be wary of brittle roots.
- Soil
- Moderately fertile to humus rich well drained, ideally not left in winter water.
- Aspect
- Full sun to semi shade, at least six hours a day to flower well, even over winter.
- Climate
- Cool to Mediterranean
- Frost
- Hardy to -5C
- Water
- Water to establish then only if rainfall is low. Flowers better with consistent moisture over summer flowering but will survive drought without thriving.
- Fertiliser
- Apply a well balanced fertiliser in spring, they aren’t heavy feeders.
- Flowering Time
- L Spring to summer. ‘Alba’: Summer to autumn
- After Flower Care
- Do not cut back the foliage, simply pull out any browned leaves. If you cut the foliage back the corms don’t like it and it will slow the plant’s growth.
- Notes
- Suitable for growing in containers, if they are well looked after over spring and summer with plenty of water. They can get overcrowded (indicated by a decreasing amount of flowers). When this occurs dig up the corms after flowering, and divide them into smaller clumps. Care must be taken during this process as the roots are very brittle. They will not flower in the year that they have been dug as they resent disturbance, but will return the following year.