Calopsis paniculata - Paniculate restio

Calopsis paniculata (synonym Restio paniculatus) is one of the most spectacular among this group of magnificent southern perennials resembling grasses, reeds or bamboo called Restio. It forms a clump, evergreen in winter, that easily exceeds the height of a person. It is composed of stems on which the foliage is replaced by a multitude of very fine branches, giving the plant an incredibly feathery appearance. Dense, flexible, airy, with an intense green colour, it is adorned in summer with fine cream-white inflorescences that turn brown when ripe. Extremely decorative and original, this plant has its place in a wild or contemporary-style garden, in a mild climate. It also looks superb in a large container on the terrace or balcony!

Calopsis paniculata is a plant in the Restionaceae family. It is a South African botanical species, hardy down to a minimum of -8 to -9 °C (17.6 to 15.8 °F) once mature. In its country of origin, it is found in wet, marshy areas, not far from watercourses, in loamy and cool soils, even waterlogged. In colder climates, however, this plant prefers well-drained soils, as its stump fears waterlogged soils frozen in winter.

This tall herbaceous perennial forms a clump of stems emerging from the stump, spreading upwards. It will reach about 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in height and 1 m (3 ft 4 in) in diameter at the base, 2 m (6 ft 7 in) for the crown in open ground warmer climates. The plant develops flexible but robust stems or culms, with brown nodes, like bamboo canes. Along these stems, at regular intervals, at the level of the nodes, there are clusters of feathery branches, gathered in dense whorls. The stems are devoid of true leaves. At the end of each branch, clear inflorescences appear. This plant is dioecious, meaning that there are male and female plants, with the female flowers being more spectacular. Flowering takes place in June-July depending on the climate, in the form of long, slender spikes of cream-white colour in females, pale yellow-green in males, followed by the formation of brown capsules in females. In theory, it is evergreen, but the vegetation will be destroyed by frost.  A well-established plant, however, will regrow from the stump in spring.

Calopsis paniculata has a pleasantly exotic silhouette, in the form of large plumes of a very vivid green, which cannot fail to impress anyone who sees it in its natural habitat. In a garden, in favourable climates, it can be planted along a path, at the back of a bed, or on the banks of water features where it appreciates moist soil. It can also be used as a decorative element on the terrace, but should be protected in cold climates. Planted in the ground or in a pot, it always makes a successful combination with the stunning Boronia, bamboo or Nandina, Dierama, Callistemon, or even a Gomphostigma virgatum. Its flowers are attractive in dried bouquets.