Arching stems, heavy with seed heads, move gently in the wind above an evergreen, rounded growth form – that’s mainly what restios are all about!

Few plants can claim more grace and elegance than the members of Restionaceae – one of the three major families that are called fynbos – so why should any garden be deprived of them? Some species of restios (as they are fondly called) will grow quite happily far away from their natural habitat, in different climatic zones.
When researchers at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens discovered that
plant-derived smoke is an important
natural cue for seed germination in fynbos, and particularly important to get seed of restios to germinate, they did the gardeners of the world a huge favour. It meant that these plants, which were previously difficult to produce, could be grown in large quantities and more and more of the most decorative species are becoming available in nurseries.

Some of the best:
ELEGIA tectorum
• Western Cape thatching reed
This restio, which was previously called CHONDROPETALUM tectorum, can be found growing naturally in moist places and sandy ditches from Clanwilliam in the Western Cape to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. It is fast growing, quite hardy to frost and drought, and adapts to virtually any climate. It has a rounded, tuft-forming growth habit and reaches a height of about 1,5 m and spreads from 1, 5m to 3 m across. The reedy stems are dark green and smooth, with dark brown sheathes. Slender and compact flowering spikes with brown bracts appear in autumn.

THAMNOCHORTUS insignis
• Thatching reed, Albertinia thatching reed
THAMNOCHORTUS insignis occurs naturally in the southern Cape around Albertinia, and is the reed that is harvested for thatching roofs, hence its common name. It is a very graceful, tuft-forming plant that produces long, heavy, yellow or golden brown-coloured spikes in January and February. This fast-growing restio with a lifespan of almost 30 years loves sandy, moist soil, but will also survive long periods of drought. Use it in rockeries, near water features and in large pots and expect a mature size of about 2m x 3m.
Another species worth planting is THAMNOCHORTUS cinereus (silver reed). It is more compact (1m x 1m) and can be planted in groups amongst rocks. It is a colourful restio with many grey green sterile side shoots and rich golden brown flowers. The flowering stems, carrying their large, grass-like inflorescences, extend high above the foliage. With their large, coppery-coloured, tassel-like flowers that last for at least three months, the male plants are especially ornamental
T. insignis and T. cinereus are frost tolerant.
ELEGIA capensis
• Horsetail restio
Fast growing and relatively large, a mature specimen of ELEGIA capensis can easily reach a height of about 2 m and a spread of 1,5 m. It grows in clumps or tussocks with slender branches arranged in whorls at the nodes. This gives it a feathery appearance that makes it popular in the cut flower trade. Spring heralds the appearance of golden brown flower spikes that are followed by dark brown seed heads in summer. Although sun-loving, it will tolerate dappled shade and is a useful plant for mixed borders that are watered frequently and for planting near water features. It will tolerate light frost.
RESTIO festuciformis
RESTIO festuciformis is an evergreen, fast growing, tuft forming grassy plant that grows to about 40 cm x 60 cm and is suitable for mass planting. It has bright green foliage and bears golden brown flowers in spring. The flowers are followed by dark brown seeds in summer. It can be planted in sun and light shade and is semi-hardy to frost.

ISCHYROLEPIS subverticillata
• Broom restio, dune restio
ISCHYROLEPIS subverticillata is compact and upright growing with delicate, very decorative, fern-like foliage. In spring it produces beautiful new bamboo-like shoots. It can be used as an accent plant or planted in small groups and is useful for planting in boggy soils around streams. It is tolerant of harsh coastal conditions if watered regularly. It reaches a mature size of about 1,5m x 1m and is semi- hardy.

Meet their needs
The basic necessities for restios to grow successfully are full sun; sandy, very well-drained soil; water when growing actively and plenty of air movement around the plants. As is the case with other fynbos plants restios do not like it when their roots are disturbed.

Growing tips:
• Planting time – restios grow actively in autumn, spring and early summer. They can be planted when the natural rainy season starts.
• Planting hole – prepare large holes and mix the excavated soil with a few spades of compost. Do not add any other fertiliser as the roots might be burned. If you have clay soil then add clean river sand and additional rough compost to improve drainage.
• On the level – backfill the holes and plant your restios at exactly the same level as they were in their nursery bags.
• Water – irrigate young plants immediately after planting and then keep the soil moist for the first six weeks; at that point you should see the first signs of new growth.
• Feeding – restios can be fed in their active growing season; use an organic fertiliser or liquid plant food.
• Mulching – use a layer of coarse compost or bark to suppress weeds and keep the root systems moist, cool and undisturbed.

Keeping them neat
If you want to neaten tufts of E. tectorum or T. insignis then cut away the older growth on the outside perimeter of the plants. New growth always emerges from the centre. Drastically cutting across the whole plant will set it back terribly (and it will take a long time to recover).

Where to plant
Restios are dramatic planted amongst indigenous grasses in modern grass gardens and in meadow-like areas surrounded by colourful perennials and ground covers that can grow without special attention. Some species, like ELEGIA capensis and CALOPSIS paniculata, endure boggy soil very well and look fantastic around water features. Most restios will grow in windy areas and the popular and beautiful ELEGIA tectorum has become a highly desired subject for large containers; it is also frequently used as a low maintenance accent plant in commercial landscapes.