Description of Eleocharis palustris (Common Spike-rush)

Eleocharis palustris is common spike-rush, a simple, reed-like native for wet soil and shallow water. It’s great for softening pond edges and giving a natural, grassy finish.

Appearance

It grows as thin green stems from creeping rhizomes. Flowering is subtle, with small brown tips in summer. Height is usually 30 to 80cm, depending on depth and feeding.

Care Guide

It thrives in constant wet and copes with water levels that rise and fall.

• Sun: Full sun to light shade.
• Soil: Mud, wet soil, or aquatic compost.
• Water: Saturated soil to shallow water.
• Control: It can creep. Use a basket if you need a clear boundary.
• Tidy: Thin out old stems in spring if it looks tired.

Planting it in small blocks gives a stronger visual than a single plant.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This suits bog gardens and pond shelves, especially near the waterline. It’s useful for wildlife ponds because it provides cover for insects and amphibians.

Avoid planting it right beside tiny, slow growers unless you contain it.

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