Bulrush (Typha latifolia). Attractive to inverterbrates

Bulrush (Typha latifolia)

Name: Bulrush (Typha latifolia)
SKU: TYPLAT
Availability: InStock

Price range: £10.00 through £25.00

The Greater Reedmace (Typha latifolia), or Bulrush, is a bold wetland plant with tall stems and iconic brown flower heads. Ideal for large natural ponds, it provides vital shelter for wildlife, including amphibians, birds, and insects.

A fast grower, it’s best managed in aquatic baskets or spacious bog gardens – avoid lined ponds, as its roots can pierce liners. A fantastic choice for wildlife-friendly watersides.

Size

Clear

SKU: TYPLAT Categories: Damp/Bog Gardens, Garden Plants, Marginal, Pond Plants Tags: Birds, Bog Garden, Full Sun, Inverterbrates, Marginal, Native, Part-Shade

A striking wetland plant that brings a touch of wild beauty to large ponds and bog gardens. Found naturally along lake edges and slow-moving rivers, this impressive plant is easily recognised by its tall stems, flat green leaves, and distinctive brown, sausage-shaped flower heads that appear in summer. As the season progresses, these flowers release downy seeds, carried by the wind to new spots.

While it’s a vigorous grower in open soil, planting it in an aquatic basket or large pot can help keep it under control – just watch for escaping roots! This plant is a wildlife magnet, offering shelter for aquatic invertebrates, nesting spots for amphibians and wildfowl, and even food for seed-eating birds.

Perfect for larger natural ponds (it can puncture liners, so avoid in lined ponds), it adds structure and movement to the water’s edge. Be prepared to manage its spread, but if you have the space, this classic bulrush makes a dramatic and wildlife-friendly addition.

Details

Native: Yes
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Depth: 0 – 30cm
Height max: 250cm
Spread max: 250cm
Other: For large, natural (no liner) ponds.

Care Instructions

Avoid planting in lined ponds, as the roots can damage liners. Remove dead foliage in spring and keep an eye on its spread – regular division of root clumps helps control growth.

Clear seed heads to prevent unwanted seedlings and avoid over-fertilising. Best suited to large natural ponds where it has room to thrive without becoming invasive.

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.