Alphabetical Plant Listing

Eriophorum angustifolium (Tall Cottongrass)

Tall Cottongrass, Cotton Grass, Narrow-Leaved Cotton Grass, Eriophorum polystachion, Scirpus angustifolius


Eriophorum angustifolium (Tall Cottongrass) is a vigorously spreading perennial forming many clumps of erect stems with grass-like dark green leaves. In summer, they are topped by showy tassels of fluffy, cotton-like flower-heads. Native to bog gardens in North America, North Asia, and Northern Europe, Tall Cottongrass reproduces through both seeds and creeping rhizomes. A plant for shallow water at the edge of the pond or in the bog garden.

  • Grows up to 12-36 in. tall and wide (30-90 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in acid soil at pond margins in water up to 2 in. deep (5 cm).
  • Excellent choice for ponds, water gardens, rain gardens or wildflower meadows.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew.
  • Deadhead regularly. Removing the seeds before maturity will prevent undesired spread. Divide roots every two years or so to control the plant spread.
  • Propagate by division in spring.
  • Native to North America, North Asia, and Northern Europe, it grows on peat or acidic soils, in open wetland, heath or moorland.

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Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 8
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Ornamental Grasses
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm)
Spread 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm)
Spacing 12" – 36" (30cm – 90cm)
Water Needs High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Alaska, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Southeast, North Carolina, Tennessee, Southwest, New Mexico
Tolerance Wet Soil
Garden Uses Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow

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shaftinaction, rokopix, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 8
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Ornamental Grasses
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm)
Spread 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm)
Spacing 12" – 36" (30cm – 90cm)
Water Needs High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Alaska, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Southeast, North Carolina, Tennessee, Southwest, New Mexico
Tolerance Wet Soil
Garden Uses Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow

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