VANDERMEER

PLANT LIBRARY

Find the perfect plant for your space by browsing through this extensive selection that we typically carry every year.

This library is for information purposes only.

 
aquatic

Common Cottongrass

Eriophorum angustifolium

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Common Cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium) at Vandermeer Nursery

Common Cottongrass flowers

Common Cottongrass flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  24 inches

Spread:  4 feet

Sunlight:  full sun 

Hardiness Zone:  4a

Other Names:  Cotton Grass, Tall Cottongrass, Bog Cotton

Description:

This natural bog plant looks grassy but is actually a sedge; airy white plumes appear in late spring and are stunning when massed; prefers highly acidic soil around pond edges or bogs

Ornamental Features

Common Cottongrass features showy plumes of white flowers at the ends of the stems from late spring to early fall. Its grassy leaves remain green in colour throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Common Cottongrass is a dense herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Common Cottongrass is ideally suited for growing in a pond, water garden or patio water container, and is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • Water Gardens
  • Container Planting
  • Bog Gardens

Planting & Growing

Common Cottongrass will grow to be about 22 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the water, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. As an aquatic plant, it requires a suitable water garden environment and will benefit from special planting and ongoing care practices; consult one of our in-store experts for further details and instructions. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

Common Cottongrass is a fine choice for the water garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in outdoor pots and containers, aquatic plants like this one will require a special growing environment that meets their requirement for consistent moisture.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight Soil pH Preference
Characteristics
Accent  Massing  Container  Bog  Water 
Applications
Flowers  Texture 
Ornamental Features

** Plants listed may not be in stock at all times. **

Please contact us directly for current stock availability.
 
Our inventory varies seasonally and we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times. To confirm if we have the plant that you're looking for, please call (905) 427-2525 or e-mail  us at info@vandermeernursery.com.
 
Remember, this library does not include our entire selection. Visit us year-round to check out varieties that may not be listed here!