Description
Eriophorum – Cotton Grass –
There are about 20 species of rapidly spreading, evergreen, rhizomatous bog, marsh, or marginal aquatic grass liked sedges perennials, in this genus. They occur in Eurasia, South Africa, and North America. They have slender, needle like, tough leaves and produce fluffy white flowers that look like cotton balls, in summer. Effective in masses beside a wildlife pool or in a bog garden. Grows best in areas with cooler summers.
Grow in acidic soil along shallow water, or in aquatic containers of peaty soil in a small pool, in full sun and with ample room. Capable of surviving in water to 2″ deep. Divide establish clumps in spring.
Prone to rust.
E. angustifolium – Common Cotton Grass – This marginal aquatic perennial from Northern Europe Siberia, and North America including the arctic grows 12-30″ tall with an indefinite spread. It produces long rootstocks, short distinctly angled stems and linear, grooved, mainly basal leaves, 6-12″ long, with long sharp pointed tips. In summer it bears fluffy flowers in umbels of 3-7 pendent, downy, tufted, white spikelets, 1 1/4-2″ across. Can be cut for indoor decoration.
Zones 5-9
