Intermediate
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Rhodocoma gigantea (Dekriet)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
3m
Max height
Max height
1.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Rhodocoma gigantea
Other names
Dekriet, Giant restio, Thatching reed
Genus
Rhodocoma Rhodocoma
Species
R. gigantea - R. gigantea is a vigorous yet tender, clump-forming, grass-like, evergreen perennial with arching stems bearing finely-divided, feathery, bright green leaves and erect culms bearing brown male flower spikelets and pink female flower spikelets in summer.
Rhodocoma gigantea is: Evergreen
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming, Erect flower stem
Flower
Brown, Pink in Summer
Foliage
Bright-green in All seasons
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 and soaked for 24 hours prior to sowing. 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
Rhodocoma gigantea (Dekriet) will reach a height of 3m 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, well-drained, neutral to acid soil in a warm, sheltered, sunny site. Resents fertile soil and waterlogged conditions. Drought and pollution tolerant.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Rhodocoma gigantea
Other names
Dekriet, Giant restio, Thatching reed
Genus
Rhodocoma Rhodocoma
Species
R. gigantea - R. gigantea is a vigorous yet tender, clump-forming, grass-like, evergreen perennial with arching stems bearing finely-divided, feathery, bright green leaves and erect culms bearing brown male flower spikelets and pink female flower spikelets in summer.
Native to
South Africa
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Arching, Clump-forming, Erect flower stem
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Colour
Flower
Brown, Pink in Summer
Foliage
Bright-green in All seasons
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 and soaked for 24 hours prior to sowing. 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
Rhodocoma gigantea (Dekriet) will reach a height of 3m 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, well-drained, neutral to acid soil in a warm, sheltered, sunny site. Resents fertile soil and waterlogged conditions. Drought and pollution tolerant.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
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, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By west London based garden designer Jonathan Snow. Jonathan’s inspiration for his Trailfinders Garden is the Winelands of the Western Cape of South Africa. read more
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