American bur-reed
Sparganium americanum
USDA zones3 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Size2 to 3 feet tall
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Yellow , green
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
American bur-reed (Sparganium americanum) is a grass-like aquatic plant for low maintenance planting along ponds and wet edges. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and average to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Zig-zag stalks carry ball-like heads of tiny green flowers. Waterfowl and marsh birds eat the seeds. Deer rarely make it their first choice.
Pairs well with Blue flag, Swamp milkweed, and Lamp rush.
Native range
AL, AR, CT, DC, and 37 more places. See all 41
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV; MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, and QC.