Eriophorum - Cotton Grass

(Erioph'orum)

DESCRIPTION: These hardy perennials, commonly known as Cotton Grass, grow wild in boggy places of the Northern Hemisphere. E. angustifolium produces flat, leathery, grass-like leaves from creeping, underground rhizomes. It bears tassels of white flowers that look like tufts of silky cotton, thus the common name. This plant grows up to a foot high. It can be grown on the edge of your water garden, though care must be taken that it doesn't become a nuisance.

POTTING: Grow this plant in 1-gallon containers in acidic soil, in sun or partial shade. It can be covered with up to 3 inches of water. Feed this plant with an acid-based fertilizer or add peat to the soil.

PROPAGATION: These plants are increased by stolons or division from spring through summer.

VARIETIES: E. angustifolium; E. Chamissonis; E. vaginatum.

Go see DICTIONARY OF BOTANICAL NAMES.

Back to our botanical home page.