Thamnochortus insignis and Agapanthus at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens beneath Table Mountain
Thamnochortus insignis and Agapanthus at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens beneath Table Mountain
The restionaceae is a family of evergreen rush-like plants, gradually becoming better known and desired for their beautiful foliage. There are 487+ known species spread through the Southern hemisphere, with the majority in Africa and Australia. All but one of the selections we have for sale, are from South Africa.
They are characteristic of the fynbos community, which is naturally burned in the Cape region. They are mostly renowned for their bamboo like culms or spikes, dramatic and architectural, which may or may not produce lovely feathery foliage or decorative seedheads. The relatively expensive cost of these plants is reflected in the smoke treatment of seeds, which dramatically increases germination rates and the years they take to make a decent pot full.
Table Mountain Fynbos
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Full Sun
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Well-drained Soil
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Plenty of Air Movement
Elegia capensis foliage in frost in Devon
The acknowledged wisdom is to treat them as half-hardy perennials giving them some protection during the winter wet and cold. They can withstand relatively cold periods but tend to turn their toes up at our combination of winter cold and wet. They seem able to cope with frosts here in Devon but not if they had been rained on the night before. Constant wet and cold winters mean they are best confined to a large pot and given winter protection in a cold glasshouse, polytunnel or conservatory. At the very least in the south of UK a south facing sheltered wall would probably be ok for the majority of winters. Although in the Mediterranean and warm temperate regions they would be striking and exotic planted in the garden.
We have been trying them in our garden here in Devon and giving them a thick mulch of straw through the winter. Some we have also wrapped in fleece. We will keep you updated as to how they get on.
The majority do grow bigger and faster in acidic soil, although certain species will grow in soils of any ph. So check with us if you want to grow one of these in a particular place, as there are a couple which are proving to be more adaptable than others. They appreciate a moisture retentive soil or free draining with regular moisture in full sun. If they do dry out they recover pretty quickly. Great if you like going away frequently or are rather absent minded with the watering.
Apart from the occasional tidying up they require very little maintenance. Do not overfeed these plants, perhaps some extra compost and grit at planting is all that is needed. A layer of mulch helps with water retention and does give some protection to the roots in the winter. If planting outside add extra mulch or straw if the weather does get very cold. Alternatively, try some in pots, on the patio or conservatory, in summer bedding or outside in a sheltered spot.
We are very keen to hear how and where people are growing these. The most exposed site so far for success, we have heard, is 600ft up on Exmoor.
The Restios are dioecious, that is they have male and female flowers born on separate plants, so unless otherwise stated, the best shaped plant whether male or female, is chosen for mail order. Having trialled a wide variety here in Devon, we consider the following are worth taking the time and trouble to grow.
Ten years of growing restios in Devon has found us now only growing those we consider decorative and worthwhile so today's list is very much shorter than yesterdays.
At the moment we only have the following available for sale. Please contact us should you have a different specific restio you are looking for as we may have it on the nursery but only in very small numbers
| Cannomois virgata | £35.00 | INFO |
| Chondropetalum tectorum | £10.00 | INFO |
| Thamnochortus insignis | £10.00 | INFO |
