An exciting alternative to bamboo, these evergreen, grass-like plants

• Restios grow well in bright, warm Mediterranean climates, and will thrive in full sun if moved. A sunny location with a neutral to acidic pH is ideal. You can improve heavy soils by adding organic matter and ensure drainage by planting on a slope; this is an important consideration as these plants will struggle and die in waterlogged soil.

• Grow young plants in pots for their first few years, during which time they will exhibit a characteristic, fluffy and loose young morphology. In their third year, they will transition to their mature form, usually sending out distinct and elegant stems. Once they are well established, they can be potted or planted in their final positions.

• Restios can be planted at any time of the year, by removing the pot and burying the root ball 2-5 cm below the soil surface. A thick layer of mulch will help retain moisture and establish the plant, and it protects the rhizome in winter, allowing the plant to regrow from the base if damaged by frost. Newly planted specimens will often die back in a year or two.

• In the wild, restios are accustomed to nutrient-poor conditions and do not require much feeding in cultivation. Occasional watering with a diluted liquid manure is beneficial, but it is important not to overdo it with nutrients; alkaline fertilizers containing phosphates and bone meal should be avoided.

• With a few exceptions, they are not amenable to division, so most plants are grown from seed. Some commercially available seeds are available, but can be harvested from plants already in cultivation when ripe. Having originated in a fire-dependent grassland landscape, the seeds germinate best when exposed to chemicals in smoke, which helps break their dormancy. Smoke primer is available online, or hang the seeds in damp muslin bags over a small smoldering fire of dry twigs and leaves for about 30 minutes.

• Smaller Restio species make striking, ferny potted plants. Use a free-draining ericaceous fertilizer such as Silvacuro, perhaps mixed with a little bark; add a slow-release fertilizer, or be sure to feed regularly, and keep the pots moist at all times. In cold weather, move the pot under cover to protect the plant from frost.

• Although they generally adapt well to average summer drought, most species do best with regular watering, as this will support the plant’s rapid spring growth and natural greening. Given optimal conditions, Restio is generally free from pests and diseases.