About

Butomus umbellatus 'Schneeweisschen' is a perennial aquatic plant with a rush-like appearance, featuring slender, spiraled leaves that deepen in color as they grow. During the summer months, it produces clusters of fragrant, cup-shaped white blossoms that rise on erect stems, which can reach heights of up to 1 meter and exhibit a reddish hue. This plant prefers marginal aquatic environments and is deciduous.

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, Herbaceous Perennial
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
Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
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. See pond plants propagation for further advice
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to water lily aphid
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free