Dierama Atrum

Dierama atrum is a dark-flowered angel's fishing rod from South Africa, forming a clump of narrow evergreen leaves before sending up slender, arching stems hung with nodding bells in dusky wine, plum and near-black purple. The flowers sway with every breeze, giving movement and a fine silhouette above grasses and lower perennials. Its sombre colouring makes it especially effective beside silver foliage, pale pinks and warm gravel. Like other dieramas it dislikes disturbance, but once settled in a sunny, sheltered position it can become a long-lived and highly distinctive specimen.