Schoenoplectus lacustris

RHS Plant Profile

common club-rush

Other common names

bass, bast, club-rush, common bulrush, frail rush, lake club-rush, mat rush, pool rush, spurt grass, bulrush, Moses in the bulrushes

Synonyms

Scirpus lacustris

Aquatic Grass Like Bogs

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An evergreen perennial rush, to a height of up to 2m, with round, solid green stems and a very vigorous root system. Brown to green flowers, in loose bunches appear from the tops or sides of the stems throughout summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or North–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: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Tufted
Genus: Schoenoplectus are moisture-loving, rhizomatous evergreen perennials with grass-like foliage and insignificant brown flowers in summer
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Europe, Mediterranean, to Mongolia, S. Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile wet soil, or in water up to 30cm (12in) deep, in full sun. Avoid planting in lined ponds, where the roots can pierce the liner. This bullrush is vigorous plant and best planted in large, natural/clay puddled wildlife ponds where it can spread. Alternatively, plant in containers of heavy loam. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division. Root sections of rhizome from mid-spring to midsummer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Trim back regularly to restrict spread

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free