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| Category: Grass-like |
| Family: Restionaceae (Restios) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Brown |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Synonyms: [Cannomois virgata, Hort.] |
| Height: 6-8 feet |
| Width: 4-5 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Cannomois grandis (Bell Reed) - A beautiful large restio with stout culms rising from rhizomes to 7 feet tall. The stiffly-erect culms have persistent bright reddish-pink sheaths and drooping hair-like foliage. The new growth is particularly showy and male plants have a spectacular inflorescence of hundreds of spherical shiny brown flowers while females produce spindle-shaped spikelets covered with hard bracts. Plant in full sun to light shade. Requires a well-drained acidic soil and regular irrigation. Hardy at least to the mid 20°'s F. Bell Reed is native to streams or wet mountainous areas of the Cape area of South Africa (from Clanwilliam to Humansdorp) from sea level up to around 5,000 feet. Although this is arguably one of the most stunning of the restios, soil requirements limit this plant to container growing for most locations in California. The common name bell reed or bellreed is a name coined by the cut flower industry for the sprays of small bell-shaped flowers on male plants. Current revision of the genus by Dr. Peter Linder of the University of Zurich indicates that this species will be split into 3 separate species and while this work has yet to be published, the plant currently grown in California nurseries as Cannomois virgata will likely be renamed. The nomenclatural changes being considered would make this taller clumping plant Cannomois grandis while the true Cannomois virgata is a name reserved for a shorter rapidly spreading rhizomatous plant.
The information on this page is based on research conducted in our nursery library and from online sources as well as from observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery's garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We have also incorporated comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information, particularly if this information is contrary to what we have written or includes additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Cannomois grandis [C. virgata, Hort.].
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