GARDENJEWELS
GARDENJEWELS
Restios
Restios
Elegia Capensis
Elegia Equisetacea
Ancient Wonders!
Restios are a magnificent group of architectural plants that are set to join grasses and bamboos as the new stars of the garden. Restionaceae, or restio's as they are commonly called, are an ancient plant family, probably dating as far back as the end of the Cretaceous period some 60 million years ago. They are evergreen perennial, grass-like plants which occur mainly in the Southern Hemisphere; and can be found in Africa, South America, Australia and New Zealand.
Restio's are related to sedges and grasses and vary greatly in height and spread, from 10cm up to 4m. In the wild they grow in sandy soil, close to water; alongside rivers and streams and in seasonal seepages, or where groundwater is present. Although the plants can grow in fairly wet conditions, they would not be suitable for a bog garden or at the edge of a pond, where the water is not moving underground.
HOW TO GROW RESTIOS
HOW TO GROW RESTIOS
Restio's are architecturally stunning plants...
A huge range of form and colour, making them spectacular yet elegant feature plants which are used where a vertical accent plant is needed. They will bring a variety of shapes, textures and rich colours into your garden; ranging from a gorgeous golden-brown to chocolate and bronze, grey-green and silver. These plants are water-wise and can form the backbone of the garden, in between the much loved proteas and ericas.
The foliage of many species is exported globally for the cut flower industry and can be used fresh or dried. There is a growing international market for these plants and the common Bell Reed are used in the cut-flower industry of New Zealand. . Only the finely branched stems are used and the most coveted part of the plant is the very beautiful young shoots, with their thick bamboo-like stems with distinct nodes, and cream to light green colour.
Restio's do not attract many insects except for bees...
Although they love growing near water, restio's can be planted in ordinary garden beds, as long as they are watered regularly. If there is insufficient water the plants become smaller with a yellowish look. The smaller species grow well in pots and are recommended for smaller gardens, while the taller species will form large dense clumps which are magnificent if used on large properties.
The best time for planting restio's is from April to May, just before the Winter rains arrive. The plants will initially be a bit slow growing, but will have formed a handsome plant and started flowering. The plants renew themselves every year by producing a new crop of stems in the centre of the plant.
Like Proteas and Ericas, they prefer an open and well ventilated position in the garden; disliking small walled in areas where there is no breeze.
CARE TIPS FOR RESTIOS
CARE TIPS FOR RESTIOS
They all thrive in full sun but will take some light shade. If they are planted and cared for correctly, restio's are very healthy, low maintenance plants, which look good all year round. They have almost no natural enemies and are virtually disease-free.
Naturally they thrive best in a frost-free Mediterranean climate, with hot dry summers, and cool wet winters; and in these regions they are wonderful water-wise plants, requiring minimal watering once established. Many restios are adaptable to cold conditions, and due to their growing popularity overseas they are being tested for their frost hardiness. Many varieties have proved to be remarkably hardy, as long as their roots (rhizomes) are mulched very thickly in Autumn to prevent them from freezing.
Although mature restio's can survive on very little water, newly planted specimens require regular irrigation for the first three months. After that a normal watering regime is best in order to provide lush growth and maintain the juvenile foliage over a longer period. They prefer sandy, acid to neutral soil that is very well-drained, but will adapt to most well-drained garden soils.
If the plants are watered well but still become yellow, feed them with a high nitrogen organic fertiliser. Restio's are low-maintenance plants, requiring only regular removal of the brown, dead stems.