Schoenoplectus lacustris
bass (syn. Scirpus lacustris)
This perennial rush boasts tall, evergreen stems crowned with distinctive brown spiky flowers emerging throughout the summer months. Its hollow, pith-filled leaves, tinged with greyish-green hues, add to its striking appearance as they rise from the base. While its vigorous growth makes it unsuitable for smaller ponds, its robust root system and impressive stature render Schoenoplectus lacustris an excellent choice for larger wildlife ponds.
How to care for Schoenoplectus lacustris:
For wet or boggy soil conditions, choose our 9cm pot option and plant into deep, consistently moist ground at the edge of a bog garden or damp border. Enrich the soil with compost and keep it wet at all times, especially in summer, as the plant thrives in saturated conditions.
For shallow pond margins, pick our aquatic planting basket option which uses a loam-based aquatic compost. After planting, add a 2.5cm (1in) layer of pea shingle or gravel on top to stop soil dispersing into the water. Position the basket so the crown sits just above the waterline or with no more than a few centimetres of water over the soil.
Water marginal plants regularly until well rooted, and keep pond-grown plants topped up to maintain a stable water level. Remove spent flower spikes and old foliage to keep the plant tidy, and divide established clumps every few years in spring to maintain vigour.
For shallow pond margins, pick our aquatic planting basket option which uses a loam-based aquatic compost. After planting, add a 2.5cm (1in) layer of pea shingle or gravel on top to stop soil dispersing into the water. Position the basket so the crown sits just above the waterline or with no more than a few centimetres of water over the soil.
Water marginal plants regularly until well rooted, and keep pond-grown plants topped up to maintain a stable water level. Remove spent flower spikes and old foliage to keep the plant tidy, and divide established clumps every few years in spring to maintain vigour.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
2m
Eventual spread:
2.5m
Position:
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Aquatic / Reliably damp or boggy
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
3 × 9cm pots
£27.99
£9.33 each
available to order from summer
Unavailable
3 litre aquatic pot
£34.99
available to order from summer
Unavailable
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