Branched bur reed (Sparganium erectum). Attractive to wildfowl and dragonfly

Branched bur reed (Sparganium erectum)

Price range: £15.00 through £25.00

Branched bur reed (Sparganium erectum) is a tall, native pond plant with sword-like leaves and greenish-white summer flowers, followed by spiky burr-like fruits.

Great for wildlife, it offers shelter for wildfowl and dragonflies. Thrives in shallow water or damp soil, perfect for medium to large ponds.

Size

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SKU: N/A Categories: Damp/Bog Gardens, Garden Plants, Marginal, Pond Plants Tags: Bog Garden, Dragonfly Friendly, Evergreen

Branched bur reed (Sparganium erectum) is a tall, vigorous British native pond plant with bright green, arching, sword-shaped leaves that can grow up to 1.5m long.

This semi-evergreen marginal aquatic perennial adds striking structure to ponds and wetlands, producing unusual greenish-white flower heads from June to August, followed by distinctive prickly green and brown bur-like fruits. These spiky seed heads not only add visual interest but also help with natural seed dispersal by clinging to wildlife or clothing.

Ideal for shallow water up to 40cm deep, it also thrives in damp soil at pond edges, streams, or marshes.

A fantastic choice for wildlife, it provides shelter for nesting wildfowl, food for aquatic creatures, and sturdy stems for emerging dragonfly nymphs.

Due to its size and spreading habit, it’s best suited for medium to large ponds. To keep it looking its best, occasional thinning and deadheading spent flowers will help maintain healthy growth.

Details

Native: Yes
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Depth: 0 – 40cm
Height max: 150cm
Spread max: 400cm
Evergreen: Semi-evergreen

Care Instructions

To keep your branched bur reed healthy, thin it out occasionally to prevent overcrowding and improve airflow.

Repotting Instructions

Can also be planted in very wet soil – do not allow to dry out.

9cm marginal plants require potting into a mesh basket. Place in a pond no deeper than 1/3 maximum recommended planting depth to allow the plants to establish.

1ltr marginal plants do not require repotting but will benefit from a bigger basket, there is no need to remove the mesh basket. Place in pond no deeper than 1/2 maximum recommended planting depth to allow the plants to establish. Plants over 60cm height growth will benefit from repotting into a larger mesh basket or should be planted in gravel to prevent them from falling over in a breeze.

3ltr and 5ltr plants do not require repotting; there is no need to remove the mesh basket. Place on the shelf of the pond at the required depth.