How can I sow Dierama seeds?
Q
How do I sow seeds collected from a Dierama?
Mike Palmer, Faversham, Kent
ASow the seeds now, while they are fresh, into seed and cutting compost mixed with some sand.
Dierama seeds need light to germinate, so cover them with a very thin layer of sieved compost or fine vermiculite. Place outdoors in a coldframe or in a sheltered spot.
Pot the seedlings up individually and grow them on in a well-lit, frost-free place. Young plants can be slow to establish and usually take two to three years to become flowering size.
They look beautiful paired with ornamental grasses such as Stipa tenuissima as well as statuesque perennials such as agapanthus.
Once they get established, Dierama are low maintenance, flowering through summer into September, and only needing cutting back the following spring. However, they do prefer a sunny, sheltered spot that drains well (they hate having their roots standing in water) and may need winter protection in the most exposed gardens.