Elegia equisetacea
A clump-forming, evergreen perennial with green, upright, cane-like stems, carrying large, pointed, chestnut-brown bracts at intervals up the stem and around the terminal sprays of tiny, red-brown, grass-like flowers and golden-brown seedheads, making a feature from spring to autumn
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Brown Green | Brown | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown Green | Brown Gold | ||
| Autumn | Brown Green | Brown Gold | ||
| Winter | Brown Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Restionaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy, Clump forming
- Genus
Elegia is a genus of grass-like plants endemic to Cape Province in South Africa. Some species are grown as ornamentals with their decorative golden to dark brown flower spikes. Flowers can be white to greenish yellow and are fairly small and insignificant.
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- S Africa
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow outdoors in mild areas in an open, sunny position in moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers at 16-18°C after soaking the seed for 24 hours. Well-established clumps may be propagated by division into large sections, but may take some time to re-establish
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Architectural
- Sub-tropical
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Coastal
- Patio and container plants
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Thin out older stems in spring
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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