Seneca Hill Perennials

Dierama atrum

Well-developed divisions of this spectacular deep purple- to near-black-flowered dierama, native at up to 1800m/5850ft in the Eastern Cape.

Dierama grandiflorum

We are pleased to offer a few plants of this rather rare species, endemic to two locations on the Eastern Cape. The largest-flowered of the dieramas, D. grandiflorum's deep rich pink flowers are up to 5cm/2in long.

Dierama igneum

A high-altitude dierama with somewhat flared pink flowers. In the past we have offered divisions of a garden plant identified as this species (but we had suspicions) - we now have the real wild-collected species, courtesy of Cameron McMaster.

Dierama latifolium

We have not bloomed the Broad-leaved Hairbell yet, nor tried it in the garden. Expect sprays of pink to (occasionally) wine-red flowers on a fairly tall plant.

Dierama luteoalbidum

A rare species, threatened by grazing and deforestation in its native habitat of south central Natal province. Unlike most dieramas, this one has narrow bell-like flowers of the purest pale yellow to white, without a trace of pink, suspended from strongly arched stems. Hardiness untested here; occurs at up to 1700m/5525ft in the wild.

Dierama mossii

Described elsewhere as a moderately-hardy dierama for moist locations, but it not only overwintered well in average soil in our garden last year, it bloomed freely this summer, with arching spikes of narrow, pendulous rich pink bells. Very full pots.

Dierama pauciflorum

A high-altitude Drakensberg species (to 2400m/7800 ft), growing in the wild in standing water in marshes. Ours grow in moist, well-drained garden conditions; they don't need to be wet, and they have persisted and bloomed here for many years. A lovely, vigorous species with narrow, grassy foliage and, in these particular plants, large full upward-facing bright reddish-pink flowers.

Dierama reynoldsii

A choice dierama, described by Hilliard and Burtt (Dierama: The Hairbells of Africa, p. 98) as 'a striking and beautiful species, its wine-red flowers contrasting effectively with the pure white, silvery bracts'. Not one of the hardiest species, but one of the most beautiful. We have not yet tried it in the garden here.

Dierama trichorhizum

A pretty and hardy dierama, well established here, where it blooms freely and multiplies nicely. Found at up to 2700m/9000ft in eastern Lesotho, the eastern Transvaal and Natal, it has narrow, relatively upright leaves, and stems of up to 5 nodding lilac flowers. Ours are in fairly heavy and damp soil, but on a slope where moisture moves past them.

Diphylleia cymosa

Surely one of our best native plants, this southeastern US woodlander has large, deeply cleft leaves and pure white flowers in erect cymes followed by blue berries on red stalks. It loves moist shade, and develops into a massive clump over time.

Dodecatheon amethystinum

Blooming-size divisions of this rich-pink-flowered Prairie Shooting Star, native from Minnesota south to Missori and east to Wisconsin and Illinois. We thoroughly enjoy the dodecatheons in spring, with their staunchly upright stems of determinedly downward-facing flowers. They need plenty of moisture in spring, but can be quite dry during their summer dormancy. Here, D. amethystinum is the first dodecatheon to bloom in spring.

Dodecatheon hendersonii coll. OR

A handsome western shooting star, here from seed collected from a dwarf population with lavender flowers and round leaves in Josephine County, OR, at 457m/1500ft.  This species requires good drainage, and is summer-dormant where summers are dry (with rainfall, it will persist longer).

Dodecatheon jeffreyi , giant form

A Ron Ratko (Northwest Native Seed) collection from the High North Coast Ranges of California (Glenn Co., 1942m/ 6475'). The collector writes that "With 30" scapes and 18" leaves this collection may be the largest form of any dodecatheon. The white coloration of the corolla tube extends down the petals before deepening to lavender-pink to violet at the petal tips. 24+ flowers per scape. Wet mountain meadows." We can attest that the seedlings grew larger and faster than any other dodecatheon, of any species, that we've grown, and we are quite excited about this one. Second-year seedlings, so not yet blooming size.

Dodecatheon jeffreyi subsp. pygmaeus

An Alplains collection from Siskiyou Co., OR, at 1707m/6800ft, about which Alan Bradshaw writes "An old taxon which I retain here to emphasize the dwarfer stature of this population. Oblanceolate leaves, gradually narrowing to the petiole. Deep lavender flowers. In small roadside streams near timberline." Two-year-old plants.

Dodecatheon meadia f. album

The white form of our native eastern Shooting Star, with strongly reflexed snowy white petals. The nose of the flower has a ring of deep red-brown banded by a ring of gold; the contrast is startling. Two-year-old plants.

Dodecatheon meadia 'Goliath'

A grand seed strain, developed for the European cut flower trade, with stately 60cm/2ft flower stems topped with medium pink shooting stars. This strain is uniquely effective in the garden, as it can be sited in the middle border, where the flowers will stand out and the dormant foliage will not be missed.

Dodecatheon pulchellum coll. CO

When these bloomed for us this spring, we decided they were possibly the loveliest of our shooting stars. The rich pink flowers have whitish centers, and the petals have a delicate twist. This species is widespread across the central and western US and Canada. Our collection, from Alplains, comes from Gilpin Co., CO, at 3277m/10,750ft. 

Dodecatheon 'Rotlicht'

For years we have sold this as "Dodecatheon jeffrey 'Rotlicht', that being what our original source, Jelitto Seeds, calls it. However, now that we've grown wild-collected D. jeffreyi we do not see how this can be the same species. Wildflower expert Bill Cullina thinks it's a form of D. hendersonii. Whatever it is, it's easy to grow, persistent, and free-blooming. Flower colors range from deep pink to the occasional incandescent deep magenta - none of those washed-out lilac pinks in this selection!.