About
Butomus umbellatus is a perennial plant, typically reaching heights of up to 1.5 meters. This aquatic species features upright, twisted leaves that are initially mid-green, transitioning to bronze-purple and eventually dark green as they mature. In late summer, the sturdy stems produce clusters of fragrant, rosy-pink flowers, each measuring about 2 centimeters across. This plant thrives in marginal aquatic environments.
About the genus
Butomus consists of perennial plants that grow from rhizomes, featuring long, narrow, strap-like foliage. The plants produce pink flowers with six petals, arranged in umbels that rise significantly above the water's surface.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Poorly-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Aquatic, Bogs
- Habit
- Submerged, Tufted
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Wildlife gardens, Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- Eurasia
- Fragrance
- Flower
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile mud at pond margins or in water up to 25cm deep, in full sun. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice
- Pruning
- Cut back after flowering
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe or by rhizome division in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to water lily aphid
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free