Eriophorum angustifolium

RHS Plant Profile
common cotton grass

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common cotton grass RHS
common cotton grass Mike L. Grant 1998

Other common names

common cotton sedge, downy ling, tassel cotton grass, plu'r gweunydd

Synonyms

Eriophorum polystachion, Scirpus angustifolius

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A vigorously spreading perennial forming many tufts of dark green, linear leaves, with white-hairy flower-heads in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cyperaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Eriophorum are evergreen rhizomatous perennials forming spreading clumps of tufted, linear leaves, with solitary or clustered, ovoid black-scaled, silky-haired flower-heads, followed by conspicuous cottony white fruiting heads
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Subarctic & Temp N Hemis.

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in acid soil at pond margins, in full sun, in water up to 5cm deep. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildflower meadow
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Deadhead regularly

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews