Acidic / Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy
The horsetail restio, Elegia capensis, is a particularly elegant but invasive restio, bearing lush green, bamboo-like stems and soft, feathery, needle-like leaves. Cream-brown flowers complete the look. It’s perfect for growing in a large garden, where space isn’t an issue, and looks fantastic when grown at the edge of a water feature or pond.
Grow Elegia capensis in moist but well-drained, acid to neutral soil, in sun to partial shade. Protect from frost in winter. Cut back old stems to allow new ones to thrive.
Advertisement
Plant calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Plant
yes
yes
Flowers
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Divide
yes
yes
Prune
yes
yes
Elegia ‘Capensis’ and wildlife
Elegia ‘Capensis’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
