Horsetail Reed
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Equisetum hyemale, also known as scouring rush or horsetail reed, is a non-flowering, rush-like, rhizomatous, evergreen perennial plant. It typically reaches a height of 3-5 feet and is native to large areas of Eurasia, Canada, and the United States, including Texas. It is commonly found in wet woods, moist hillsides, and around water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. The plant has rigid, rough, hollow, vertically rigid, jointed-and-segmented, bamboo-like stems that are dark green. These stems emerge from the plant's rhizomes and are marked by whorls of tiny, scale-like leaves at each node. The evergreen nature of the stems makes them particularly noticeable in winter, adding interest to the landscape.
The high silica content of the stems led to their historical use by early Americans for polishing pots and pans, which is why the plant is called scouring rush. Despite its name, Equisetum is not a rush or a fern. It is the only surviving genus of a class of primitive vascular plants that dates back to the mid-Devonian period, over 350 million years ago. Today, equisetums are classified as fern allies because, like ferns, they are non-flowering, seedless plants that reproduce by spores.
This plant thrives in medium to wet soils, full sun, and part shade. It has a high tolerance for a wide range of soils and can grow in up to 4 inches of standing water.
Height: 2'-4'
Spread: 1'-6'
Bloom: Non-flowering
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade, Dappled Shade
Water: Medium, High
Zone: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Origin: North America, Eurasia
Winter Shipping: We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
