Product Description 

Butomus umbellatus, commonly known as Flowering Rush, is one of the most elegant and architectural marginal plants for UK ponds. It produces tall, upright stems topped with delicate pink flower umbels, each made up of star‑shaped blooms that appear from June to August. Even when not in flower, its narrow, rush‑like foliage provides strong vertical structure and movement around the water’s edge.

This hardy perennial thrives in shallow water or wet soil, making it ideal for pond margins, naturalistic water gardens, and wildlife ponds. Its airy flower heads attract bees, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects, adding ecological value as well as beauty.

Perfect for both contemporary and naturalistic designs, Butomus umbellatus brings height, elegance, and a soft, meadow‑like charm to any aquatic planting scheme.

Key Features

• Tall pink flower umbels from June–August
• Height: 80–120 cm; Spread: 40–60 cm
• Architectural vertical foliage for year‑round structure
• Ideal for pond margins and shallow water
• Wildlife friendly, attracting pollinators
• Hardy perennial suitable for UK climates
• Excellent for naturalistic and modern pond designs

Care & Planting Instructions

• Plant in shallow water (0–15 cm) or very wet soil at the pond edge.
• Position in full sun for best flowering.
• Use a mesh basket with aquatic compost if planting in a pond.
• Trim back old stems in autumn once foliage dies back.
• Divide mature clumps in early spring if needed.
• Low maintenance and long‑lived once established.

Measurements

• Height: 80–120 cm
• Spread: 40–60 cm
• Flowering: June–August
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Position: Full sun
• Soil/Depth: Wet soil or 0–15 cm water depth

🌱 Companion Plant Suggestions 

Marginals & Bog Plants

• Thalia dealbata – tall blue‑green foliage for dramatic height contrast
• Caltha palustris ‘Flore Pleno’ – double yellow flowers for early colour
• Iris laevigata ‘Rose Queen’ – soft pink blooms that echo the umbels
• Scirpus tabernaemontani ‘Zebrinus’ – striped stems for architectural interest

Oxygenators

• Vallisneria spiralis
• Potamogeton crispus

Floating Plants

• Aponogeton distachyos (Water Hawthorn) – scented white flowers
• Salvinia natans – fine‑textured floating fern for surface softness