Elegia tectorum

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Cape thatching reed

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Cape thatching reed RHS
Cape thatching reed RHS
Cape thatching reed RHS

Synonyms

Chondropetalum tectorum

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Grass Like Herbaceous Perennial
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A tufted evergreen perennial with short rhizomes and mid to dark green stems. Male and female inflorescences are produced in late spring or summer composed of dark brown-black spikelets

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–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
Columnar upright
Genus
Elegia is a genus of grass-like plants endemic to Cape Province in South Africa. Some species are grown as ornamentals with their decorative golden to dark brown flower spikes. Flowers can be white to greenish yellow and are fairly small and insignificant.
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S Africa (Cape)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained preferably acid soil in full sun but tolerates alkaline soils. Grow under glass where temperatures fall below -5°C, in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. When in growth maintain low humidity and water sparingly in winter. See ornamental grasses cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 16-18°C in spring after soaking for 24 hours in warm water. Propagate by division in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required, tidy as necessary

Pests

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

Diseases

Generally disease-free