Scirpus cyperinus (Wool Grass)

Scirpus cyperinus (Wool Grass) is an emergent aquatic perennial forming a dense tuft of arching basal green leaves and erect stems (culms). Each culm has 5-10 ascending to spreading leaf blades, and is topped in summer by a compound umbel, 4-6 in. long (10-15 cm), of many spikelets on branching rays. The spikelets become reddish brown and wooly at maturity. The foliage turns shades of golden brown in the fall and the showy seedheads remain attractive well into winter. Native to North America, Wool Grass occurs naturally in wet meadows, swamps, sloughs, marshes, bottomland prairies, stream or pond margins, and wet disturbed areas. Wool Grass naturalizes by creeping rhizomes and self-seeding to form colonies. It is good for erosion control when planted en masse. It is a wonderful plant for the wildlife garden as it provides food and cover for waterfowl and other wildlife. The unusual flowers make it an interesting addition to large water gardens, bogs, or ponds. Give it space!

• Grows up to 3-5 ft. tall (90-150 cm) and 2-4 ft. wide (60-120 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in moist to wet soils. Appreciates some light shade in hot summer climates. While it thrives in consistently moist garden soil, it can also be planted in shallow standing water to 4 in. deep (10 cm).
• An ornamentally attractive grass to be grown at the edge of a pond or water garden, in boggy areas, in shallow water.
• Needs little care and has no serious pest or disease issues.
• Propagate by root division. Clumps may be divided in spring.
• Native to North America.