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Thamnochortus cinereus - Restio

Thamnochortus cinereus
Restio

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More information

This restio is a medium-sized South African perennial, growing in dense clumps composed of stems and fine silvery foliage. In summer, large brown-golden inflorescences emerge, which remain decorative for a long time. Evergreen, it regrows from the stump until -10°C (14°F) once well established. To be cultivated in the sun, in an ordinary soil, even dry in summer.
Height at maturity
80 cm
Spread at maturity
1 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -9°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to May
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Flowering time May to June
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Description

The Thamnochortus cinereus is one of those South African perennials with an unpronounceable name that is more commonly known as Restio. From a distance, it resembles an ornamental grass with a very dense appearance, silver in color, narrow at the base, rising in a more rounded clump, with stems that carry extremely delicate branches, giving the plant a very feathery aspect. In summer, it is adorned with large brown-golden spike-like inflorescences that remain decorative for a long time. This discreet and unusual plant has its place in a wild or contemporary style garden, just like grasses. Let yourself be surprised and seduced by adopting it in a pot on the terrace or balcony too!

The Thamnochortus cinereus is a plant of the restionaceae family. It is a robust South African botanical restio, widespread in the Cape Province, from Port Elizabeth to Swellendam, very adaptable, and relatively hardy. In its country of origin, it is found both on the moist and misty slopes of the mountains and along streams, not far from springs, and in small pockets of soil between rocks. This region of South Africa is under the influence of a Mediterranean-type climate, mild and humid in winter, hot and dry in summer. The preferred habitat of restionaceae is a vegetation formation called fynbos, regularly subject to fires, where proteaceae plants and heathers dominate.

This herbaceous perennial forms a tuft of hairy, silver stems emerging from the stump, widening upwards. It will reach a height of 80 cm (32in) for the foliage in three years, 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16in) in diameter at the base, and 1 m (1 and 3ft) for the crown in open ground under favorable climates. The culms can reach a height of 1 m (3ft) after 5 to 7 years of cultivation. The plant develops flexible but robust stems, with nodes resembling those on bamboo canes. Along these stems, at regular intervals, at the level of the nodes, there are clusters of feathery, also silver, branches, gathered in dense whorls. The stems are devoid of true leaves. In summer, brown inflorescences appear, which can exceed 1.5 m (5ft) in height on male plants. This plant is dioecious, meaning there are male and female plants. Flowering takes place in May-June depending on the climate, in the form of long brown-golden spikes, followed by the formation of capsules on the female plants. Although theoretically evergreen, the vegetation will be destroyed by frost, but a well-established plant will regrow from the stump in spring.

 

The Thamnochortus cinereus is hardy down to -10 or even -12°C in well-drained and protected soil, supported by numerous French and British horticulturists who have tested this amazing plant. Its accommodating nature and hardiness allow it to be grown in open ground in many regions spared by severe frosts. This accent plant can be used in a simple perennial bed with echinaceas, thistles, or gauras, as well as in an urban setting to soften a concrete structure. It can also be used in a very decorative way on the terrace, to be stored away in too cold a climate. In open ground or in a pot, it always succeeds when combined with the astonishing Boronia, bamboos, or Nandina, Dierama, Callistemon, or even Gomphostigma virgatum. Its flowers are very beautiful in dried bouquets.

Thamnochortus cinereus - Restio in pictures

Thamnochortus cinereus - Restio (Flowering) Flowering
Thamnochortus cinereus - Restio (Foliage) Foliage
Thamnochortus cinereus - Restio (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 80 cm
Spread at maturity 1 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour insignificant
Flowering time May to June
Inflorescence Spike

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Thamnochortus

Species

cinereus

Family

Restionaceae

Other common names

Restio

Origin

South Africa

Product reference834701

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Planting and care

The Thamnochortus cinereus is planted in spring, after the last frost in cool regions, or in early autumn in warmer climates. Plant it in well-drained and properly loosened soil, as it fears marshy and suffocating lands where water stagnates. It is not very demanding regarding the nature of the soil, which can be clayey, rocky, loamy, sandy, even slightly calcareous, or slightly acidic. Choose a very sunny exposure or, at worst, a light shade. Protect the stump with a thick protective mulch in winter. It is well adapted to both Mediterranean and mild oceanic climates. It requires no particular maintenance and has no enemies in our climates. In pots, make sure the plant does not lack water and provide green plant fertilizer from spring to autumn, diluted in the watering water, every 15 days.

Propagation is done by dividing clumps in spring.

 

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Planting period

Best planting time March to April
Recommended planting time March to May

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Border, Edge of border, Container, Slope, Greenhouse
Hardiness Hardy down to -9°C (USDA zone 8b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, Ordinary soil, very well-drained, moist to dry in summer.

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Needs protection

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