Elegia cuspidata

Evergreen, clump-forming restiad that grows up to 2m tall and wide.

A large reed-like plant native to South Africa. Long dark green stems produce male and female flowers appear on separate plants during summer. Flowers are not your typical flower and are dark brown and can sometimes appear almost black. Individual flowers are almost microscopic and can number anywhere from 50 to over 500 flowers per inflorescence.
Each flower sits within a bract which has a long-pointed tip. These bracts give the inflorescence its distinctive brush-like appearance. The easiest way to tell male from female is at flowering time during the summer months. The male plant produces pollen and the female plant has white fluffy styles that receive the pollen and form the seed.
They eventually form a large clump of sturdy upright green foliage and dense bronze flower heads surrounded by papery brown bracts.

Prefers full sun, good air circulation and some exposure to wind. If these requirements are not met, plants may become spindly and turn yellow. This restio naturally occurs in seasonally-flooded marshes in acidic soils, where it experiences hot windy summers and cold rainy winters.

Always choose healthy, well-grown plants. Plant after autumn rains when the soil is moist and warm. Before planting, ensure that the root ball is saturated and remove planter pot with minimal root disturbance. Trim any broken roots and plant at the same level as in the container. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball, press in and water well once planted. Make sure plants are watered well until established if planting in a drier period. Plant with some general slow-release fertiliser and then every spring, apply organic fertiliser (such as blood and bone) at a handful per square metre. Mulch with bark to improve appearance, conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Apply mulch annually to help suppress weeds and conserve moisture. Organic materials, such as sawdust and bark, contribute to soil structure as they decompose. However, make sure to keep mulch from plant stems. Feed in spring with a balanced fertiliser (e.g. blood and bone) at a handful per square metre. The first summer and autumn after planting is critical for young plants; water thoroughly during dry periods.

This restiad is relatively easy to care for; just remove unsightly old leaves and seed heads. Propagation is best done by division in autumn. However, plants often sulk and can die, so it is safer to increase numbers by buying from a local supplier.

Problem free.

African Garden