Angel's Fishing Rod Dierama 'Blackberry Bells'
ABOUT
Dierama 'Blackberry Bells', also known as angel's fishing rod, is a perennial plant notable for its graceful, arching stems that bear delicate, bell-shaped flowers. The blooms exhibit a deep, rich purple or maroon hue, closely resembling the color of blackberries, hence the name 'Blackberry Bells'. These pendant flowers dangle gracefully from the stems, creating a whimsical display that sways with the breeze. The foliage consists of slender, grass-like leaves that emerge from corms beneath the soil. These leaves form tufts or clumps that provide a verdant backdrop to the striking floral show above. Angel's fishing rod's unique flower shape and color make it a distinctive plant in any garden setting, offering visual interest and an elegant touch to borders or beds.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Iridaceae.
Synonyms
Angel's Fishing Rod, Fairy's Wand, Wandflower.
Common names
Dierama 'Blackberry Bells'
ToxicityTo humans
There is limited information on the toxicity of Angel's Fishing Rod to humans. It is not commonly known as a toxic plant. However, as with any plant, individual allergies or reactions to this plant may occur. If any part of the plant is ingested and adverse symptoms develop, it is important to seek medical advice.
To pets
Angel's Fishing Rod is not typically listed as a toxic plant to pets. However, since the specific variety 'Blackberry Bells' might have varying levels of unidentified compounds, it is advisable to prevent pets from ingesting it. If your pet does ingest any part of this plant and shows signs of illness such as vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual behavior, contact your veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Burgundy
Height
4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Flowers: Dierama 'Blackberry Bells', commonly known as Angel's Fishing Rod, produces striking dark purple to black bell-shaped flowers that add a dramatic touch to garden spaces.
- Height and Movement: With its tall, arching stems and pendulous flowers, it brings a sense of movement and height to landscaping, which can be especially effective in mixed borders or as a focal point.
- Attracts Wildlife: The flowers are known to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, supporting local ecosystems.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, Angel's Fishing Rod is relatively low maintenance, requiring minimal care beyond occasional watering and deadheading.
- Drought Tolerance: It is relatively drought-tolerant, making it suitable for gardens in drier climates or for gardeners seeking water-wise planting options.
- Perennial Lifespan: As a perennial, it will return year after year, providing long-term interest and minimizing the need for annual replanting.
- Seasonal Interest: In addition to summer blooms, it offers seasonal interest with its foliage and can also provide winter interest in milder climates.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography Prop: Dierama, commonly known as Angel's Fishing Rod, can be used by photographers as a unique, natural backdrop or subject with its elegant, arching stems and bell-shaped flowers.
- Craft Material: Dried stems of Angel's Fishing Rod can be incorporated into floral arrangements and crafts, providing an exotic and durable material for artistic creations.
- Landscape Accent: Angel's Fishing Rod can be planted around water features, like ponds or streams, to create whimsical movements in the landscape as they sway gently with the breeze.
- Garden Borders: These plants can be used to define borders along paths or garden beds, adding height and a splash of color with minimal maintenance required.
- Educational Resource: Angel's Fishing Rod can be used in educational settings such as botanical gardens or workshops to teach about plant structure, pollination, and perennial growth habits.
- Fairy Gardens: Their delicate appearance makes the Angel's Fishing Rod suitable for creating magical and enchanting fairy gardens, especially in containers or small garden spaces.
- Art Inspiration: With their striking appearance, these plants serve as inspiration for artists and can be depicted in paintings, drawings, and textile designs.
- Theme Gardens: They are excellent for thematic garden designs, such as a "purple garden" or a "cottage garden," contributing to the overall aesthetic with their purple-hued flowers.
- Ecological Education: Angel's Fishing Rod can be part of a garden designed to demonstrate how perennials attract pollinators, thereby educating the public about the importance of biodiversity.
- Wedding Decorations: For a naturalistic or garden-themed wedding, stems of Angel's Fishing Rod can be incorporated into the venue decorations, bridal bouquets, or table centerpieces.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Angel's Fishing Rod is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Angel's Fishing Rod is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Elegance: The slender and arching stems with bell-shaped flowers of the Dierama, commonly known as Angel's Fishing Rod, symbolize elegance and grace in the garden.
- Daintiness: The delicate appearance of the flowers often conveys a sense of daintiness and gentle beauty.
- Persistence: Even though the plant looks fragile, its ability to thrive in tough soil conditions can represent persistence and resilience.
- Attraction: The alluring, deep color of 'Blackberry Bells', along with its form that resembles a fishing rod, can symbolize attraction and the idea of drawing things toward oneself.
- Mystique: The unique and uncommon color of the 'Blackberry Bells' variety adds an element of mystique or the mysterious.
WaterAngel's fishing rod, Dierama 'Blackberry Bells', prefers consistently moist soil, especially during the growing season. Water the plant deeply once a week, providing about 1 to 1.5 gallons per plant, ensuring you reach the roots without oversaturating the soil. During hot or dry periods, watering frequency should increase to twice a week to maintain soil moisture. In winter, reduce watering to every other week or less, depending on the weather, as the plant requires less moisture when it's not actively growing.
LightAngel's fishing rod thrives in full sun to partial shade. It performs best when planted in a spot that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. If you live in a particularly hot climate, providing afternoon shade will help protect the plant from the intense heat of the late day sun.
TemperatureAngel's fishing rod is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10, meaning it can handle temperatures down to about 0 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 to -12 Celsius). The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can handle occasional dips below freezing, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit could damage or kill the plant.
PruningPrune Angel's fishing rod to remove spent flowers and to tidy up the plant. This encourages new growth and can lead to more vigorous blooming in the next season. Cut back the foliage by about one third in late winter or early spring before the new growth starts, which is the best time for heavier pruning.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Angel's Fishing Rod prefers a soil mix with good drainage, composed of two parts loam, one part peat, and a generous amount of grit or perlite. A soil pH of 5.5 to 7.5 is suitable for optimal growth.
RepottingAngel's Fishing Rod does not need frequent repotting and can be left undisturbed for several years due to its preference for establishing a strong root system.
Humidity & MistingAngel's Fishing Rod prefers moderate humidity levels but is adaptable and can tolerate the varying humidity conditions typically found in outdoor garden settings.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and ensure well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to part shade and protect from harsh winds.
Hardiness zone
8-10 USDA
Life cycleDierama 'Blackberry Bells', commonly known as Angel's Fishing Rod, begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in moist, well-draining soil to develop into a young seedling. Stages of growth include the formation of a small bulb-like corm from which narrow, grass-like leaves emerge. Over the years, the corm enlarges, and the plant produces more foliage, eventually forming clumps. As it matures, typically after a few years, it sends up tall, slender flower stems in summer that arch gracefully under the weight of bell-shaped flowers, whose colors range from pink to deep purple, resembling fishing rods. After pollination, these flowers develop into seed capsules if conditions allow. The plant enters a period of dormancy in winter, during which the foliage may die back, conserving energy in the corm for the next growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Dierama 'Blackberry Bells', commonly known as Angel's Fishing Rod or Fairy Wand, is often propagated by division. This method should be carried out in early spring just as the plant comes out of dormancy and before new growth begins in earnest. To propagate by division, carefully lift the parent clump from the ground, taking care to minimize root disturbance. Using a sharp spade or knife, divide the clump into smaller sections, ensuring that each new section has several growing points and a portion of the root system. Replant these divisions at the same depth they were growing originally and water them thoroughly. Over time, these divisions will grow into mature plants, producing the graceful, pendulous flowers characteristic of the species.
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