Restio subverticillatus

RHS Plant Profile

whorled restio

RHS

Synonyms

Ischyrolepis subverticillata

Grass Like

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A tufted, reed-like perennial with erect to arching dark green, almost woody stems with whorls of thread-like green leaves or modified branches growing from each node, giving a fountain effect. Stems grow to 2m in height, forming clumps to 1.5m wide. Male and female plants are separate (dioecious). White female flowers are borne on masses of thin stems in spring, followed by grey-brown shiny nutlets in autumn. Male flowers are yellow-green, maturing through bronze to grey

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Restionaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Restio is a genus of dioecious (with male and female flowers are borne on separate plants) perennials with a rhizome-creeping or tufted habit that superficially have a rush-like appearance. Leaves are reduced to persistent sheaths enclosing the bases of the flowering stems. Originating from Southern Africa and Australia
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: South Africa (Cape)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based compost in full light. Water moderately and provide low humidity. In winter water sparingly. Outdoors, grow in moderately fertile, well-drained preferably acidic soil in full sun. In frost prone areas, plant out after last frosts and then lift and bring under cover in the autumn

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers at 16-18°C (61-64F) after soaking the seed for 24 hours

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Mediterranean climate plants
Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Cut flowers
Banks and slopes

Pruning

Little or no pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly when grown under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-free