{"product_id":"rhodocoma-capensis","title":"Rhodocoma capensis","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eRhodocoma capensis\u003c\/strong\u003e, better known as the \u003cstrong\u003eCape restio\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most graceful architectural evergreens you can add to an exotic garden. It forms tall, arching stems clothed in fine, feathery, bright green plume-like foliage that sways at the lightest breeze, a soft bamboo-like fountain that brings movement and texture where a stiffer plant would fall flat. Think of it as an ornamental grass with real presence, ideal for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic borders\u003c\/a\u003e, gravel schemes and large containers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to the Cape Fold Mountains of South Africa, this reed-like member of the Restionaceae is borderline hardy in Britain (RHS H4) and holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit. It is fully evergreen, so the shimmering green plumes hold their colour through the year. Whether it thrives comes down to grasping what genuinely threatens it: waterlogged, freezing winters. Ground that sits sodden while temperatures drop destroys it far faster than a clean frost in gritty soil ever would, so it drinks up moisture through the growing months yet demands a sheltered position with genuinely sharp winter drainage, plus frost cover in colder gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun for the densest, most upright plumes, in a sheltered but airy spot; it takes coastal and exposed sites well, which makes it a fine choice among \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal plants\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertile clay, loam or sand on the acid to neutral side, with sharp winter drainage the single most important factor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a clump-forming habit reaching around 1.5 to 2.5 m tall and roughly 0.5 to 1 m across in time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e borderline hardy (RHS H4) to about -10C once established; keep the crown dry and mulched over winter and fleece in prolonged hard frost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater regularly through the first couple of summers to settle the roots, keeping the soil moist but never sodden, after which established clumps cope with short dry spells. Its upright, fountain-like form makes it a superb structural partner in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-foliage\"\u003earchitectural foliage\u003c\/a\u003e plantings and a striking specimen in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003elarge pots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e, where you can move it under cover in the worst weather. For more on how hardy exotics behave through the seasons, see our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ehardy exotics guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eExplore the full range of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e to build a bold, textural planting scheme. Every plant we supply is nursery-grown, carefully selected for a healthy root system, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"9cm \/ 0.5L","offer_id":57974398124415,"sku":"RHODCAPE9","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/iStock-1140157634.jpg?v=1784325989","url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/rhodocoma-capensis","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}