Description
Eriophorum russeolum (now listed as Eriophorum chamissonis), known as russet cottongrass, is a sedge from bogs and fens of the far north. Unlike common cottongrass, it carries a single, upright cottony seed head at the tip of each stem. Our plants are the russet form, with rusty orange-brown bristles.
Russet cottongrass at a glance
| Botanical name |
Eriophorum chamissonis (syn. Eriophorum russeolum) |
| Common name |
Russet cottongrass, red cottongrass |
| Plant type |
Sedge; spreads by creeping rhizomes |
| Height and spread |
About 20–70 cm tall (sources differ) |
| Flowers |
Single, upright cottony seed head on each stem, early to late summer; rusty orange-brown in our form |
| Position |
Full sun |
| Soil |
Permanently wet, acid or peaty soil |
| Pond depth |
Bog garden or damp soil at the pond edge |
| Hardiness |
No RHS H-rating published; it grows wild in subarctic regions |
| Native to |
Subarctic Europe, Asia and North America (not UK native) |
Where to plant russet cottongrass
- Sunny bog gardens with permanently wet, acid soil
- Damp, peaty ground at the edge of a wildlife pond
How is it different from common cottongrass?
Each stem has one upright seed head, not a nodding cluster. It spreads by creeping rhizomes into loose colonies rather than forming tussocks.
Is it a UK native?
No. It grows wild in Scandinavia, northern Asia and North America, but not in the UK.
Which size should I buy?
Bare-root plants (7 cm, 9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre) arrive without a pot or compost and are the most economical way to plant a group. Potted plants (9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre) arrive growing in our peat-free compost and give a faster display. Packs of 3 come in 7 cm, 9 cm, 1 litre and 3 litre bare-root sizes and cost less per plant. The 2x Pot & Compost option is two plants supplied with pots and compost.
