Elegia capensis
horsetail restio
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
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Brown Green | Brown Yellow | Green | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown Green | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Green | Brown | |
| Winter | Brown Green | 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
- 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
Get involved
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