Elegia capensis

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An evergreen perennial producing spreading clumps of upright, rich green, cane-like stems or culms, with chestnut brown culm sheaths. Whorls of wispy modified branches grow from each node, and the stems are topped by yellow-brown, reed-like flowers in spring followed, on female plants, by brown nutlets

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
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–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)
H3

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
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 outdoors in mild areas in an open, sunny position in moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers at 16-18°C (61-64F) after soaking the seed for 24 hours. Well-established clumps may be propagated by division into large sections, but may take some time to re-establish

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Thin out older stems in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free