About
Equisetum hyemale, the rough horsetail, is a tall, vertical, evergreen perennial to around 180 cm with hollow, jointed, dark-green stems banded black at each node and a rough, sandpaper-like texture. One of the most architecturally striking of the horsetails, excellent in containers or at the waterside, though best confined to prevent spreading.
About the genus
Equisetum, the horsetails, are the sole surviving genus of a once-dominant group of plants, reproducing by spores rather than seeds. They produce jointed, hollow, ridged, rush-like stems with whorled, scale-like leaf sheaths at each node. Ancient and architecturally distinctive, they are grown in moist or wet gardens and containers.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisturePoorly-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeAquatic, Bogs
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants
Native toEurasia, N. America
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, permanently moist soil, or in water up to 10cm deep. Good in containers, which can help to contain spread. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice
PruningRemove any dead or damaged stems to improve appearance
PropagationPropagate by division in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free