A wonderful juxtaposition occurs in the Eastern Cape veld from spring to early summer. Graceful wedding bells or African hairbells start peeking through the brown shades of veld, little treasure mounds of green and mauve that are a sure sign that warmer weather and picnics are on the way!
Dierama pendulum is an indigenous plant grown from corms and found in the Eastern Cape. They are commonly known as African hairbells, Fairy-Bells or Wand-flowers because of their elegant flowering and growth habit.
Dierama pendulum’s graceful wand-like flower stems arch above the leaves and then bear a series of drooping spikes with eye-catching, cup-shaped, flowers.The 5cm long flowers have a soft and delicate, pinkish-mauve colour with gracefully turned-back tips.
Dierama pendulum form evergreen, dense clumps with green, grass-like leaves up to a metre in height. It is best not to disturb the clumps for a good while after planting as dividing the plant earlier could result in it not flowering the next season. Once you have found a suitable position in your garden leave them for at least three flowering season to establish themselves well.
Should you feel the need to tidy up your African hairbells after a few seasons ,do not cut back the green leaves as this retards the growth and flowering simply remove the outer brown leaves by gentle tugging.
Dierama pendulum demand a sunny position in well-drained, composted soil, they will happily grow in boggy conditions but ensure the soil is not waterlogged.
Fairy-Bells enjoy plenty of moisture throughout spring, summer and autumn as this is their growing season. By providing less water in the winter months you will be sure to mimic the Eastern Cape winters and Dierama can then happily continue its dormant period. African hairbells are fairly drought resistant, but will not flower if there is insufficient water.
Dierama pendulum is hardy and can withstand light frost.
Dierama pendulum will cascade in your garden from spring to early summer and the graceful flowers will attract bees, butterflies, insects and people with their alluring beauty.
Plant these beautiful Dieramas near water features, rockeries or in mixed borders to add a touch of class to your garden.
will be available in nurseries and Garden centres this summer season. Look out for them in bright purple pots with an informative label.
Eastern Cape Stockists:
Floradale Nursery – Port Elizabeth
Floradale Nursery – East London
Red Leaf Nursery – Port Alfred
Builders Express East London
Builders Express – Jeffreys Bay
Builders Express – Newton Park
Builders Express – Queenstown
Builders Express – Uitenhage
Builders Express – Walmer
Builders Express – Walker drive
Builders Warehouse – Port Elizabeth
Free State Stockists:
Alma Kwekery – Welkom
Bruwer Kwekery – Bloemfontein
Builders Warehouse Bloemfontein
Greenside Kwekery – Bloemfontein
Plants@Preller – Bloemfontein
Pretty Garden Tuinsentrum – Bloemfontein
Urth Garden Centre – Bloemfontein
Gauteng Stockists:
4 Seasons Nursery – Heidelberg
Colourful Splendour – Craighall Park
Garden Pavilion – Brandmullers
Garden Pavilion – Eckards
Garden Pavilion – Sunkist
Lifestyle Home Garden – Randburg
Plant Paradise Garden Centre – Pretoria
Schaffler’s Nursery – Johannesburg
Mpumalanga Stockists:
Garden Pavilion – Montana
Garden Pavilion – White River
North West Stockists:
Garden Pavilion – Potchefstroom
Western Cape Stockists:
Starke Ayres Garden Centre – West Coast Village
Stodels – Bellville
Stodels – Constantia
Stodels – Kenilworth
Stodels – Milnerton
Stodels – Somerset West
Builders Express – Knysna
Builders Warehouse – Cape Gate
Builders Warehouse – City
Builders Warehouse – Constantiaberg
Builders Warehouse – Table View
Builders Warehouse – Tygerberg
**Please note that not all stockists will have every plant featured**
