Eriophorum angustifolium
Common cotton grass, Narrow leaved cotton grass, Cotton grass
- Height × spread
- 0.6m × 0.3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A plant that delights when in seed since it produces tussocks of silken cotton wool held in brown calyces and looking like so many fairy brushes. These are a feature in late spring and follow the unnoticeable flowers. The plant itself has green grassy foliage that stands upright. It is a sedge and is found growing in cooler places, often a natural companion to cranberries in North America as it needs acidic soil. It is happy in shallow water up to 5cm deep or in bogs, and will spread.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- White
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Water garden, Seaside garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous)
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Water depth
- Up to 2.5cm
- Use for
- Ground cover
- 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 - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
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.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.