Equisetum hymale
Equisetum hymale
Equisetum hymale
Common names:
Rough Horsetail
shave grass
Bottle-brush
Paddock Pipes
scouringrush horsetail
Snake Grass (South Africa)
Dutch rush
pewterwort
Equisetum hymale stems
Origin: North America, Europe and Northern Asia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Equisetales
Family: Equisetaceae
Genus: Equisetum
Subgenus: E. subg. Hippochaete
Species: Equisetum hymale
Equisetum hymale in the ‘Kuro’ garden
Plant type: Perennial
Hardiness Zone: Zone 2
Time to maturity: 2-5 years
Soil types: Aquatic soil topped with thin layer of gravel
Aspect: Sheltered
Flower interest: Not significant
Foliage interest: Hollow, green, black ridged stems that look like reeds.
Other interest:
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Plant width: + 0.5m
Habit: Arching & Erect
Sun light: Full sun / Partial Shade
Equisetum hymale new shoots
Pruning: Cut off any damaged stems either when they go brown or in spring before the new shoots appear.
Cultivation: This plant likes a slightly acidic soil with a clay, loam, sand mix. It grows in wet sites and works in bog gardens, containers or water gardens.
Propagation: Plant the crown at approximately 0 - 15cm.
Pests: None of note.
Diseases: None of note.
Awards won:
Equisetum hymale with water reflection
Poisonous?
Some species are poisonous to grazing animals if eaten over a prolonged period. It can cause a lack of thiamin (vitamin B1).
Works well with:
Other information
Used in contemporary design. Unlike some of its cousins it is not quite so invasive. If kept in a basket remove roots as they try and escape through the holes a couple of times a year.