San Francisco Botanical Garden - Gardens

Look for Restios in the Demonstration Garden (Bed 3R) across from the circular arbor and throughout the South African Cape Province Garden (Beds 27, 30, 32, 44.)

Scientific Name	Restionaceae
Common Name	Restios
Family	Restionaceae
Plant Type	Perennial grass-like plant
Environment	Tolerant of dry conditions once established, most restios need excellent drainage. Do not use fertilizers that contain phosphorus.
Bloom	Blooms consist of seedheads which form on the grasslike stalks.
Uses	Provides height and movement in the garden. Good choice for south exposure, tolerant of windy spots with minimal irrigation.
More Info	Restios in Corwall More about South Africa's plant life

Profile Contributor: Fred Bové

Restios
Restionaceae

The Cape Province of South Africa, an area of 100 square miles at the tip of the continent, is a botanical wonderland. Two-thirds of the plants are endemic, meaning they occur nowhere else in the world. More than 8,550 species have been counted, twice as many as in California, which is four times larger.

The Restios are a major component of the vegetation of the plant community called the “Fynbos,” Afrikaans for “fine bush.” This refers to the fine, needle-like leaves of many of the plants in this community. Many species of these reed-like, leafless plants, some growing from spreading underground rhizomes, others from tussocks, appear like a hybrid mixture of grass, bamboo, rush and horsetail. The culms, or stems, some as high as 9 feet in height, in shades of color from pale grayish-blue through every variety of green to silver gray, bring color and structure to any garden.

Highly flammable, restios regenerate from their underground tubers or tussocks after wild fires. They have traditionally been used by the South African people for roof thatching that can last up to fifty years. Restios make a fine addition to our water wise gardens.

Available at our next plant sale