Eleocharis palustris

RHS Plant Profile

common spike-rush

Other common names

creeping club-rush, creeping spike-rush, sbigfrwynen y gors

Synonyms

Scirpus palustris

Aquatic Bogs Herbaceous Perennial

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A perennial sedge with an upright, tufted habit, reaching up to 60cm in height and spreading through creeping rhizomes. It's dark green, solid, cylindrical stems are smooth and topped with delicate, brown, egg-shaped spikelets that appear from May to July. At the base, reddish-purple sheaths provide subtle contrast

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Poorly–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: 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): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cyperaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Evergreen, Semi evergreen
Habit: Tufted
Genus
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Temp. N. Hemisphere

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moisture-retentive situations such as pond margins. See pond plants and bog gardens for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free