About
Eleocharis acicularis, the needle spike-rush, is a low-growing, mat-forming sedge with very narrow, grass-like leaves to 15 cm tall and tiny brown spikelets on fine, unbranched stems in summer. Forms a spreading carpet of bright-green, grass-like growth as a marginal water plant or submerged in water to 40 cm. Excellent for wildlife ponds.
About the genus
Eleocharis, the spike-rushes, are grasslike or rush-like sedges with cylindrical or flattened, leafless stems tipped by single, egg-shaped spikelets. They grow in wet, marshy or aquatic habitats and are ornamental marginal and aquatic plants.
Plant details
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Suggested usesBorders, containers, mixed plantings.
Native toTemp N Hemis to W S Amer.
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moisture-retentive situations such as pond margins, submerged to a depth of 40cm. See pond plants and bog gardens for further information
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or by division
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free