Broad Leaved Cattail Ornamental Grasses (Typha Latifolia)

Broad Leaved Cattail Ornamental Grasses Description

Broad Leaved Cattail is a striking, robust aquatic plant that adds dramatic height and structure to waterside or wetland gardens. Known for its tall, broad, sword like leaves and distinctive, cylindrical flower spikes, this grass is perfect for creating bold vertical accents in damp, boggy areas. Reaching heights of 1.5 to 3 metres (5 to 10 feet), Broad Leaved Cattail thrives in shallow water, pond edges, or moist soils. Its dense green foliage provides a strong architectural presence throughout the growing season, while the unique flower heads, green at first and turning brown, offer seasonal interest and texture.

This plant is an excellent choice for naturalistic garden designs, providing habitat and food for wildlife such as birds, insects, and small mammals. It works well in wetland or wildlife friendly gardens, where its dense growth offers shelter and nesting opportunities for various species. Broad Leaved Cattail also helps to stabilise the soil around water features and can contribute to controlling erosion in marshy areas.

Pruning Advice

Cutting Back in Winter: In late autumn or early winter, after the plant has finished flowering, cut back any dead, yellowing, or damaged foliage to ground level. This helps tidy the plant and prepares it for new growth in spring.

General Maintenance: Throughout the growing season, remove any damaged or yellowing leaves to keep the plant looking neat. However, avoid cutting back the flower spikes too early, as they provide visual interest and attract wildlife.

Control Spread: Broad Leaved Cattail can spread aggressively via its rhizomes in wet conditions. To prevent it from becoming invasive, divide the plant every few years, or regularly remove excess growth to keep it in check and maintain its desired size.

Prune Flower Heads: If desired, you can cut off spent flower heads once they turn brown to prevent them from spreading seeds, especially in smaller gardens where you want to control the spread of the plant.

Further Information

Vertical Interest: Its tall, upright habit adds dramatic height and structure, making it ideal for adding texture and form to wetland gardens or near water features such as ponds or streams.

Seasonal Appeal: The unique cylindrical flower spikes provide visual interest throughout late spring and early summer, while the brown, mature flower heads add texture in autumn and winter.

Wildlife Friendly: It provides important habitat and food for wildlife, attracting birds, bees, and other pollinators. The seeds within the flower spikes offer a food source for birds, and the dense foliage offers shelter for small creatures.

Soil Stabilisation: Broad Leaved Cattail helps prevent soil erosion in damp or marshy areas, making it an ideal plant for stabilising pond banks and water features.

Hardiness: It is a hardy plant that can thrive in a variety of soil types, from clay to loamy soils, and is tolerant of wet or flooded conditions, making it a low maintenance option for wetland gardens.

Delivery & Returns

Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:

* Standard Sized Boxes (Bare root up to 1.2m tall & pots up to 7.5L) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £9.98 charge.

* Tall Sized Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m & over) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £24.99 charge.

* Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £350 | or £82 charge.

* Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £1500 | or £450 charge.