common spikerush
Eleocharis palustris
USDA zones3 to 10
SunHandles partial sun to partial shade
WaterHandles moist to wet soil
Sizeup to 3.5 feet tall
- Habit
- Grass/grass-like
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Bloom color
- Not applicable
- Foliage color
- Dark green
Garden uses
Notes
Common spikerush (Eleocharis palustris) is a grass for meadow planting. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes part sun or part shade and moist to wet soil. The stems grow 4 to 40 inches tall and wear a reddish-purple sheath on the lower part. Small cylindrical spikes appear from early to late summer. It spreads by rhizomes and will eventually fill in large areas, so give it room.
Pairs well with Lizard's tail, Tussock sedge, Marginal wood fern, and Michigan lily.
Native range
AK, AL, AR, AZ, and 46 more places. See all 50
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY; NB, NS, and PE.