El Campo Small Cape Reed

5 Gallon

$59.90

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El Campo Small Cape Reed

Chondropetalum tectorum 'EI Campo'

Compact, structural reed perfect for small gardens and containers.

$59.90

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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.

El Campo Small Cape Reed is a compact, more manageable version of the classic Cape Reed, offering the same architectural appeal for smaller gardens. It forms a dense clump of slender, upright, blue-green segmented stems. Its smaller scale makes it incredibly versatile for adding vertical interest to mixed borders, rock gardens, or containers. Sharing the same exceptional toughness and drought tolerance, it provides modern structure and texture with virtually no care required.

Compact, Architectural Form: A dwarf selection with all the structural appeal of the species but in a perfect size for residential gardens.
Dense Clump of Blue-Green Stems: Forms a tight, vertical cluster of leafless, jointed stems that provide unique, year-round texture.
Sun-Loving & Exceptionally Drought Tolerant: Thrives in full sun and poor, well-drained soils. Once established, it survives on minimal water.
Ideal for Small Spaces & Containers: Its restrained size makes it perfect for modern patio pots, narrow borders, or as a repeated accent in minimalist designs.
Low-Maintenance & Deer Proof: Requires no watering, feeding, or pruning. Its tough nature makes it completely deer resistant.

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:Foliage: Leafless, with distinctive, rigid, cylindrical, blue-green stems (culms) marked by dark, sheath-like bands at the joints. The stems are evergreen and provide strong architectural interest.Flowers: Produces small, dark brown, cone-like inflorescences at the stem tips, primarily in summer, which persist as ornamental features.Habit: A clump-forming, evergreen restio with a dense, upright, and vase-shaped growth habit. Older stems become woody.
Mature Height: 2-3 ft.
Mature Width: 3-4 ft.
Growth Rate: Moderate
Light Needs: Full sun to partial shade
Key Advantages:Unique, leafless, architectural form.Drought tolerant once established.Low maintenance and pest-free.Tolerates coastal conditions, including wind and salt spray.Provides year-round structure and texture
Landscape Uses:Architectural accent in mixed borders.Mass planting for a structural groundcover.Container planting for modern landscapes.Coastal and Mediterranean gardens

Q: How small does it stay?
A: It is a true dwarf, typically reaching only 2-3 feet tall and wide, maintaining a neat, columnar shape without sprawling.

Q: Can it be grown in partial shade?
A: It performs best in full sun for the densest, most upright growth. In too much shade, it may become floppy or sparse.