About
An evergreen perennial producing spreading clumps of upright, rich green, cane-like stems or culms, with chestnut brown culm sheaths. Whorls of wispy modified branches grow from each node, and the stems are topped by yellow-brown, reed-like flowers in spring followed, on female plants, by brown nutlets.
About the genus
Elegia is a genus of grass-like plants endemic to Cape Province in South Africa. Some species are grown as ornamentals with their decorative golden to dark brown flower spikes. Flowers can be white to greenish yellow and are fairly small and insignificant.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeGrass Like
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Sub-tropical, Architectural, Coastal, Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants
Native toS Africa (Cape)
Care notes
CultivationGrow outdoors in mild areas in an open, sunny position in moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil
PruningThin out older stems in spring
PropagationPropagate by seed in containers at 16-18°C (61-64F) after soaking the seed for 24 hours. Well-established clumps may be propagated by division into large sections, but may take some time to re-establish
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free