Butomus umbellatus 'Schneeweisschen'

RHS Plant Profile
flowering rush 'Schneeweisschen'

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Synonyms

Butomus 'Schneeweibschen'

Plants for pollinators
Aquatic Bogs Herbaceous Perennial
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A deciduous, rush-like, marginal aquatic perennial, with narrow, twisted mid-green leaves becoming darker when extended. Umbels of cup-shaped, fragrant white flowers are held above the foliage on upright, red-tinted stems up to 1m tall in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Butomaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Submerged, Tufted
Genus
Butomus are submerged rhizomatous perennials with narrowly strap-shaped leaves and 6-petalled pink flowers held in umbels well above water level
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile mud at pond margins or in water up to 25cm deep, in full sun. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe or by rhizome division in spring. See pond plants propagation for further advice

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to water lily aphid

Diseases

Generally disease-free