Cortaderia richardii
(Toetoe)
Family - Poaceae
Category - Perennial
Origin - New Zealand
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Hardiness - H5
Height - 3m
Width - up to 2m
Location - The Terrace
Description: An elegant, clump-forming Evergreen grass that produces attractive mounds of basal foliage. The arching, mid-green leaves are linear in shape and have a leathery texture. Each leaf can reach to 1.2m in length. Long, graceful plumes have a feathery texture and are composed of small, pale buff spikelet flowers held in arching panicles. Each panicle can reach to 60cm in length. The plumes are held atop very tall stems and are produced from mid to late summer, however, they remain attractive on the plant well into the winter months. Excellent for use as cut flowers.
Flower:
Small, buff-white spikelet flowers are held in arching panicles that can reach 60cm in length. The plumes are held atop tall stems (up to 3m in height) and are produced in July and August, though they persist on the plant and remain attractive into winter.
Flower colour: Buff, white
Flower shape: Spikelet flowers held in panicles
Flowering time: July, August
Foliage:
Long, mid-green leaves are linear in shape and have serrate margins. The leaves have a leathery texture and a graceful, arching habit. The foliage is held in a mound at the base of the plant.
Foliage Senescence: Evergreen
Foliage Shape: Linear
Propagation:
Division.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun in fertile, moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained.