Eriophorum

Description

Eriophorum vaginatum is a distinctive perennial wetland plant valued for its elegant white cottony heads and dense tussock-forming habit. Native across the subarctic and temperate Northern Hemisphere, it is especially well suited to bog gardens, acidic marshy ground, and wet pond edges. This species grows best in permanently moist to wet, peaty, acidic soils in full sun. In spring, it produces solitary flower heads that later develop into the silky white “cotton” tufts that make the plant highly ornamental in naturalistic landscapes. Typical height is about 30–60 cm. Eriophorum vaginatum is an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly and northern-style water gardens, especially where a natural bog or damp meadow effect is desired. It is best planted on a wet bank, in a bog zone, or with only minimal water covering the crown.