Eriophorum angustifolium
common cottongrass
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- Standard £5.95
This pond plant is semi-evergreen, so it can lose some of its foliage in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose it all, but then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
- Position: full sun
- Soil type: reliably moist or boggy soils, or aquatic compost
- Depth of water: 0-5cm (0-2in)
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: June to August
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Slender, grass-like leaves, each with a sharp-pointed tip, forms a spreading clump, which in summer is topped with fluffy-looking, pendent spikelets. An attractive, moisture-loving perennial, Eriophorum angustifolium will often retain most of its leaves throughout the winter, so has year-round appeal.
While wearing protective gloves, gently 'comb' through the foliage with your fingers to remove the older foliage. Divide congested clumps in spring. If growing as a shallow water, marginal plant, pot up into an aquatic pot or basket using a good quality aquatic compost.