Eriophorum vaginatum
hare's tail cotton grass
A native sedge, common in the west and north of the British Isles. The neatest of the three native cotton grasses, forming dense tussocks of very narrow leaves on triangular stems. Spikes of yellowish, tufted flowers are followed by tidy, rounded, cottonwool seedheads
Synonyms
Scirpus fauriei var. vaginatus
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Brown Yellow | Green | White | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown Yellow | Green | White | |
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Cyperaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- Yes
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Tufted
- 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
How to grow
Cultivation
Occuring in wet, peaty, acid soils such as moorland bogs, and suitable for pond edges, bog gardens or other acid to neutral soils that are permanently wet
Propagation
Propagate by division of tussocks in early spring, ensuring each portion retains plenty of roots
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildflower meadow
Pruning
No pruning required, but deadheading can prolong flowering
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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