Equisetum hyemale
Rough horsetail, Dutch rush, Scouring rush
- Height × spread
- 1.5m × 2m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A striking rush with its sturdy rounded stems, hollow within, and marking their length with regularly set dark brown nodules that band the stem as though it were a measuring stick. It does not have leaves. This is a vigorous plant that will happily invade available territory if there is sufficient moisture for its needs. Historically this was used as scouring material. Give it a sunny or part shaded site in water or any very moist site. it stands up to 1.5m (5ft) high with a 2m (7ft) spread.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 1.5m
- Spread
- 2m
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Water garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water until well established
Until well established, plants in the ground should be watered deeply at regular intervals after a dry period. This is likely to be 1 and 2 weeks without rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.