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AquaticBogsGrass Like

Eriophorum latifolium

broad-leaved cotton grass

A native sedge, found in scattered sites across the British Isles. Spreads through rhizomes producing loose tufts of relatively broad leaves on triangular stems. Clusters of yellowish flowerheads are followed by tassel-like, cottonwool seedheads

Other common names

plu'r gweunydd llydanddail

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Poorly–drained

pH

Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

East–facing or 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)

Botanical 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

Occurs in wet, alkaline soils such as lowland fens and marshes. Suitable for pond edges, bog gardens and other neutral to alkaline soils that are permanently wet

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division of rhizomes

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

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