Great Reedmace

A native rush, also known, strangely, as asparagus of the Cossacks, Typha latifolia is a tall, robust, rhizomatous, deciduous perennial, which can spread a lot; it has an upright habit. It has long, strap-shaped, green leaves. In summer, great reedmace bears tall, cylindrical, brown bulrush-type flower-spike – it is often called bulrush. This plant tolerates exposure. Divide the rhizomes in spring to establish new colonies. Otherwise, an easy plant, pest- and disease-free, but be warned – it will spread and is only for very large ponds and lakes.

Position: Full sun
Planting depth: Any poorly drained clay or loam to 30cm (1’’) below water level.
Growth rate: Fast
Season of Interest: Brown flower-spikes in summer
Hardiness: Very hardy
Size: 5-8’ (1.5-2.5m) Spread: 26’ (8m) in 5-10 years

Photos by Andreas Rockstein and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.