Cape Rush
Wed, 07/07/2010 - 7:18am — Kathy Ormiston
.jpg "IMG_1661 - Copy (211x300).jpg")
Photo Credit:
Kathy Ormiston, PADG
Botanical Name:
Chondropetalum tectorum
Pronunciation:
(kon-dro-PET-al-lum tek-TOR-um)
Common Name:
Cape Rush
Plant Type:
Grass
Mature Size:
4-6 ft. tall and wide
Sun/Shade Requirements:
Full to half sun
Flower Color :
Tan brown bracts
Chondropetalum is a low water plant from South Africa that has a nice reed-like look. In the Palo Alto Demonstration Garden we've used it on the edge of a dry creek bed. Many garden designers favorite it as a specimen for its strong architectual lines. It is often use in modern designs and in pots as the "thriller".
Overwatering the plant will make it floppy. We carefully remove old stems, but avoid shearing this plant to the ground. It won't regrow. We also tried planting Juncus, a similar looking plant, but found it did not do well with once every three weeks watering.