I’m not sure when the rhodocoma started blushing pink. In fact, before this morning I didn’t even know to expect such a phenomenon, but trusted resources have this to say: San Marcos Growers: “Upright growing clump forming (tussock) grass-like plant to 6 feet tall with arching reed-like stems bearing congested tight whorls of branchlets with fine foliage. In spring appear the flowers which, for female plants, are a deep pink, while male flowers are pale yellow-green.”
We have a girl!
Also from San Marcos Growers: “The name for the genus comes from the Greek words ‘rhodo’, meaning “rose” or “red”, and ‘kome’ meaning “hair” in reference to terminal clusters of the reddish inflorescence.” Baked into the name, my rosy-haired Cape Restio!
Congratulations on your new ‘girl’. Beautiful plant.
WOW, I have never seen this before! What a great plant!
That is one fabulous plant!
Looking good Denise!! Glad you got that one that turned out to be a girl. We grew Rhodocoma capensis from 2007 until 2023. All were grown from seed purchased from Silver Hill Seeds in South Africa and from Ginny Hunt @ Seedhunt here in California. Great Plant!
@Thanks, Elaine!
@Gerhard, we’ve all been growing restios for years — how did we miss this?!
@Kris, it’ll be interesting to see the colors changes as the flowers age.
@Randy, looking through my notes, I got the rhodocoma from Rogers Gardens in 2020 then brought it up north — possibly grown by SMG? No damage or dieback from the January ice storm.
Nice surprise!
It definitely adds grace to the garden. I bet it looks beautiful in a light breeze.
*attempting to comment. I love the Rhodocoma capensis!