Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus)
Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) is an aquatic plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus).
This plant has several common names including: flowering rush, grassy rush, lily grass or water gladiolus.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 5-10 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: flowering rush, grassy rush, lily grass, water gladiolus
Scientific name: Butomus umbellatus
Plant type: Aquatic, Bogs
Habit: Submerged
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Poorly drained
Garden type: Informal Garden, Wildlife Gardens
Other characteristics: Plants for pollinators
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) – Kostka Martin, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Whether small or large, formal or informal, every garden has space for an aquatic element. The sound and reflective qualities of water have long been used to add interest to gardens.
A pond, fountain or even a smaller water container greatly increases the variety of plants you can grow. In addition, they also encourage a wide variety of wildlife, including insects, frogs, toads and birds.
Together with plants, these elements offer a diversity of interests.
Other types of Butomus to consider:
See all Butomus
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in clay, loam or sand.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Butomus umbellatus likes to grow in humid or poorly drained soil.
Sunlight
Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus) – Christian Fischer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
