Intermediate
skill rating
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Elegia capensis (Horsetail restio)
1 hour care
per year
per year
2m
Max height
Max height
1.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Elegia capensis
Other names
Horsetail restio, Essenhout
Genus
Elegia Elegia
Species
E. capensis - E. capensis is an upright, spreading perennial forming large clumps of thick, reed-like, dark green stems with a papery sheath at each node surrounding a whorl of long, needle-like branches. Yellow to golden-brown flower spikelets, initially enclosed by large, leaf-like bracts, bloom in spring, followed by small, winged, nut-like fruit.
Elegia capensis is: Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect, Spreading
Flower
Yellow-brown, Yellow in Spring
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Glasshouse red spider mite , Whitefly Glasshouse red spider mite , Whitefly
General care
Pruning
Once established, remove oldest stems in spring.
Propagation
Propagation is best done with seed. Germination is poor unless seeds given smoke treatment. Resents division so only divide large plants into sizable sections and plant divisions immediately.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Elegia capensis (Horsetail restio) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 1.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, City, Coastal, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil in a warm, sheltered, sunny site. Tolerates very light shade. Do not allow to dry out. Yellowing stems indicate the need for a high nitrogen feed.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Elegia capensis
Other names
Horsetail restio, Essenhout
Genus
Elegia Elegia
Species
E. capensis - E. capensis is an upright, spreading perennial forming large clumps of thick, reed-like, dark green stems with a papery sheath at each node surrounding a whorl of long, needle-like branches. Yellow to golden-brown flower spikelets, initially enclosed by large, leaf-like bracts, bloom in spring, followed by small, winged, nut-like fruit.
Native to
South Africa
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect, Spreading
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Colour
Flower
Yellow-brown, Yellow in Spring
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Glasshouse red spider mite , Whitefly
General care
Pruning
Once established, remove oldest stems in spring.
Propagation
Propagation is best done with seed. Germination is poor unless seeds given smoke treatment. Resents division so only divide large plants into sizable sections and plant divisions immediately.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Elegia capensis (Horsetail restio) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 1.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, City, Coastal, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil in a warm, sheltered, sunny site. Tolerates very light shade. Do not allow to dry out. Yellowing stems indicate the need for a high nitrogen feed.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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