Oplismenus hirtellus 'Variegatus' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

variegated basket grass

John Fielding

Synonyms

Oplismenus africanus 'Variegatus'

Conservatory Greenhouse Grass Like

A wide-spreading, trailing perennial grass to 10cm tall, with narrowly lance-shaped evergreen leaves, striped with white and often tinged pink. Flowers insignificant and best removed

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–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: Poaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Trailing
Genus: Oplismenus can be annual or perennial, trailiing grasses, with rooting stems bearing linear to lance-shape leaves, and insignificant flowering racemes
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in peat-free compost in bright, filtered light under glass. Water freely during the growing season and sparingly in winter. Outdoors grow in moist, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Separate rooted stems in early spring; pot up and grow on with protection until established

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

Cut back and remove old stems as required.

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free