Soft Stem Bulrush

Soft Stem Bulrush is Useful for Controlling Erosion and Attracting Wildlife

Soft Stem Bulrush – Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, also called great bulrush, is native to the United States and grows where water often accumulates. It prefers to build in up to 12 inches of rain. This plant produces small flowers protruding from the stem at the top of the plant. It grows well, whether it is planted in pots or the ground, and can reach up to eight feet tall.

This plant is an ideal candidate for those who have a pond or water feature in their landscaping. Every plant can have a spread of more than four feet. Its produces leave blade that is less than 0.04 inches in diameter, and they can curve slightly on their outside edges. It also provides a small brownish fruit that is surrounded by reddish-brown scales.

 Soft Stem Bulrush is an Ideal Candidate for Ponds and Water Feature Landscaping

The inflorescence of this plant usually droops or arch downward, making it look particularly beautiful when the wind blows through it. The dark brown fruit often appears in late May and is present until September. Unlike hard-stem bulrush, the stems on this plant have a spongy feeling that can be easily compressed. This is a sun-loving plant, although it will tolerate partial shade. Left alone, this plant will spread creating new plants without the homeowner having to do any work. To take advantage of this characteristic, it is recommended that they not be planted closer than one foot apart.

 It can also be useful for controlling erosion as it has deep roots helping to hold the soil in place. Native Americans often ate the tender shoots in the spring while they collected taller soft-stem bulrush to weave into bags or to create thin pads for sitting upon. Wildlife love to hide their homes in between these tall plants that they use for food. Additionally, waterfowl often love to hide amongst this plant's stems.

Soft Stem Bulrush                              

The Soft Stem Bulrush, also known by the scientific name of Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, can be found natively all across North America and Eurasia. Other names for this plant include the Tall Bulrush or Great Bulrush. It is a water-loving, hardy wildflower that can grow anywhere between 2 and 9 feet in height, though taller is more common. This perennial plant is happy in hardiness zones 3-9 and thrives in ponds, wetlands, swamps, wet prairies, and other damp or moist environments.

 It consists of a thick green culm, or hollow shaft, with a delicate cluster of flowers at the top. It also is a popular addition to any wetland restoration or pond landscaping project. The flowers are an attractive orangish-brown color and eventually mature into a hard brown seed fruit. A process that occurs between July and September, though blossoms can be found as early as May in some cases. It does not have noticeable leaf blades, though there are leaves that hug the shaft, especially near the bottom of the plant. The plants like to grow in clusters, with a 4-5 foot spread, and prefer silty or peaty soils, though it is reasonably tolerant of many soil types.  

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