Cape Reed

5 Gallon

$54.90

1/5

Cape Reed

Chondropetalum tectorum

Architectural, drought-tolerant reed with tall blue-green stems.

$54.90

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Cape Reed is a striking, architectural plant that adds dramatic vertical lines and a unique texture to the landscape. Its tall, upright stems are leafless, segmented, and a handsome blue-green color, resembling giant rushes. In summer, it produces clusters of dark brown, papery flower bracts at the stem joints. Extremely tough and drought-tolerant once established, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a superb choice for modern gardens, coastal plantings, or as a bold structural accent.

Architectural, Leafless Stems: Features tall, jointed, blue-green stems that provide year-round structure and a sculptural, reed-like appearance.
Ornamental Papery Flower Bracts: Produces small, dark brown, cone-like bracts at the stem joints in summer, adding subtle texture.
Extremely Drought & Wind Tolerant: Once established, it thrives with little to no summer water and is highly resistant to coastal winds and salt spray.
Low-Maintenance & Deer Resistant: Requires no pruning and is ignored by deer. Old stems can be cut out at the base to tidy the clump.
Modern Focal Point or Screen: Ideal as a standalone specimen, planted in rows for a linear screen, or used in mass plantings for a naturalistic effect.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Stems:Bamboo-like segmented culms with distinctive dark nodal rings.Leaves reduced to papery sheaths wrapping each stem joint.Waxy blue-green color maturing to golden-brown.Flowers:Dense clusters of bronze spikelets.Enclosed in persistent parchment-like bracts
Mature Size:Height: 3-5 ft.Width: 3-5 ft
Growth Rate: Moderate
Light Needs: Full sun to partial shade
Key Advantages:Extreme wind and salt tolerance.Drought-adapted (survives on 12" annual rainfall).Fire-resistant foliage.Zero pest problems
Landscape Uses:Coastal erosion control.Modern architectural plantings.Rain garden structural element.Xeriscape accent

Q: Does it need wet soil like a true reed?
A: No, despite its common name and appearance, it is not an aquatic plant. It prefers well-drained soil and is highly drought-tolerant. Overly wet soil can cause rot.

Q: How do I prune or maintain it?
A: Maintenance is minimal. Simply cut out any old, brown, or broken stems at ground level to encourage new growth and keep the clump looking tidy. Avoid shearing.