Elegia capensis
Cape of Good Hope Restio, Dekriet, Fonteinriet
- Height × spread
- 2m × 3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A beautiful shaggy looking plant, a Restio that grows in South Africa in the Fynbos. This is a hearty beauty that has long stems that may be single or branching. They carry whorled clusters of extremely slender grassy looking foliage. The effect has been likened to the far coarser foliage of a bottle brush shrub. There are both male and female flowers which form brown slightly spiky clusters. These are interesting rather than beautiful. It grows naturally alongside streams and in near waterlogged areas so is suited to a position at the edge of a very moist or even boggy area. It is not reliably hardy throughout the country.
- Flower colour
- Brown, Pink
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 2m
- Spread
- 3m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water frequently to keep the soil moist
The plant thrives in moist or boggy soil, doesn't tolerate dryness and should be watered frequently, not only after a period of drought, but if the soil begins to dry out spring to autumn. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.