Family Equisetaceae
Originating from North America, Europe, Asia.
- Prehistoric reed-like stems form upright, hollow cylinders.
- Brown strobili, an ancient form of flower that produces spores, form at the tips of its stems.
- An easy-to-grow evergreen perennial grown in damp soil, bogs, or pond margins.
The Horsetail Scouring Rush in Your Garden
Nothing evokes primeval jungle like Equisetum. From the moment its shoots appear in spring, it has the ancient Jurassic looks of dinosaur food. Its reed-like stems pierce the earth with prehistoric elegance. Translucent green at first, they look stunning when backlit in sunlight, showcasing the stems’ black bands.
Hardy in all UK gardens, it can reach 2.5m high and 1m wide in 2–5 years. It remains evergreen in mild weather, re-shooting in early spring after harsh winters. Surprisingly, it makes a perfect modern reed garden plant, adding a striking silhouette to contemporary Norfolk gardens in pots.
In southern and coastal areas, it meanders around boggy areas, making lush and wild-looking Suffolk pond margins. It spreads less vigorously in colder inland and northern areas, but should contained in plunged pots, without drainage holes. Unable to spread from pond planting baskets, it makes a handsome, isolated, upright specimen standing on a pond shelf.
Growing Tips for Your Equisetum Hyemale, Scouring Rush
- Soil and Sun: Plant in permanently moist, boggy soil or submerge its roots in ponds. Full sun or part shade suits.
- Planting: Set at any time of year, providing constant soil moisture. Grow in pots or contain in a bamboo rhizome barrier.
- Watering: Keep moist at a minimum.
- Pruning: Trim dead stems in spring; divide clumps every few years.
A contemporary modern reed garden plant that looks ancient, alternatively a chic patio plant, or a wild jungle specimen. Plant it out amongst woodland bog garden plants in contained soil, or in corten steel planters in modern gardens. Grown with care, this stunning species brings a unique look to any garden style.
Planting Ideas for Scouring Rush
Plant a pondside primaeval paradise, a brilliant, boggy escape from daily life, into lush, heavy foliage and cool, dappled shade. Plant it in a pond under a canopy of Trachycarpus fortunei, Musa basjoo, and Tetrapanax rex. Place watertight urn-shaped pots of the Rush amongst Rodgersia pinnata, Astilboides tabularis, and Ligularia ‘The Rocket’ and ‘Othello’.
Plant a restrained composition of crazy, unique plants, ensuring a contemporary wow factor. Modern outdoor living spaces, such as patios and terraces bordered by raised beds, are the perfect setting. Equisetum is controlled in their confined structures or can be planted in watertight pots plunged in them. Plant en masse and add Dicksonia antarctica, Chamaecyparis ‘Imbricata Pendula’, Crinodendron patagua, and Frangula ‘Asplenifolia’ for an out-of-this-world effect.
