Typha latifolia
Common Cattail, Bullrush, Cossack asparagus, Nail rod
- Height × spread
- 1.8m × 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
This striking plant can be difficult and temperamental. It has broad, grey-green, strap-like leaves, and columnar, chocolate-brown heads of flowers. The fruits eventually are white and fluffy, but take months to achieve this state. This is the unforgettable bulrush (or reedmace) that appears in late summer and early autumn.
- Flower colour
- Brown
- Foliage colour
- Grey
- Fruit colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 1.8m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Water garden, Prairie 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 30cm
- 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.
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
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.
Found in
More Typha
Typha
Bullrush, Reedmace, Cat-tail
Typha angustifolia
Narrow leafed cattail
Typha latifolia 'Variegata'
Common Cattail, Bullrush, Cossack asparagus, Nail rod
Typha laxmannii
Laxmann's bulrush, Small reedmace
Typha minima
Least bullrush, Miniature cat tail, Miniature reedmace, Dwarf cat tail