Butomus umbellatus
Flowering rush, Water gladiolus, Grassy rush
- Height × spread
- 1.5m × 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
An interesting plant that grows in shallow water or boggy places, the flowering rush has grassy looking leaves that can be somewhat lax and floppy, but early in the season they give thick upright lines. The plant surprises when it flowers with sprays of little, baby pink blooms rising above the foliage where they seem to float. It's almost as though this solid reed has been leading a double life. Apparently the foliage is much loved by cattle, so they need to be kept away from it.
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 1.5m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Water garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Water depth
- Up to 2.5cm
- Use for
- Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring · Outdoors
Feed with aquatic plant food
As the plant is grown in water, feed with an aquatic feed as directed on the packet. Do not exceed the amounts given as this can affect the water.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water frequently to keep the soil moist
The plant thrives in moist or boggy soil, doesn't tolerate dryness and should be watered frequently, not only after a period of drought, but if the soil begins to dry out spring to autumn. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Compost for aquatic plants
Use aquatic plant compost for pond plants (other composts contain nitrates that cause problems in ponds). Pond plants are generally planted in baskets and weighted to keep in position.