Thamnochortus insignis
Tufted, evergreen perennial about 1.5m tall, with unbranched, smooth, dark green canes (culms) growing from vigorous rhizomes. Upright, grassy, mid-brown female spikelets and pendent mid-brown spikelets, in flowerheads, the florets 2-3mm wide and long, are produced in midsummer on separate plants
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Brown | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Restionaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Tufted
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- S Africa (Cape)
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained acid soil in sun, tolerant of alkaline soils and salt or sand laden winds. Suited to growing in warmer, frost free areas. May be too wide-spreading for greenhouse cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by division of rhizomes in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Sub-tropical
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and red spider mite if grown under glass
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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