Great Reedmace

A native rush, also known, strangely, as asparagus of the Cossacks, Typha latifolia is a tall, robust, rhizomatous, deciduous perennial, which can spread a lot; it has an upright habit. It has long, strap-shaped, green leaves. In summer, great reedmace bears tall, cylindrical, brown bulrush-type flower-spike – it is often called bulrush. This plant tolerates exposure. Divide the rhizomes in spring to establish new colonies. Otherwise, an easy plant, pest- and disease-free, but be warned – it will spread and is only for very large ponds and lakes.

Position: Full sun
Planting depth: Any poorly drained clay or loam to 30cm (1’) below water level.
Growth rate: Fast
Season of Interest: Brown flower-spikes in summer
Hardiness: Very hardy
Size: 5-8’ (1.5-2.5m) Spread: 26’ (8m) in 5-10 years

Aquatic pot and compost variations

Aquatic plants come in a variety of pot and compost variations that have different benefits for planting and growing.

Mesh Pot | (Aquatic Compost)
Pot can be removed and plant can be planted directly into soil or margins above or below the water line. Pot and plant can also be placed directly into water to be container grown, but will still need repotting in time.

Pot | AQ (Aquatic Compost)
Pot must be removed and plant should be planted directly into soil or margins above or below the water line.

Pot | (Regular Compost)
Pot must be removed and plant should be planted directly into soil or margins above the water line. Cannot be planted directly into soil below the water line.

Photos by Andreas Rockstein and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.