Habit

Christophe Bernier, Tela Botanica · CC BY-SA 2.0

Flowering rush

Butomus umbellatus L.

Family: Butomaceae

60 cm to 1.2 m tall

Garden ponds, banks, shallow water

Flowering: June – August

Full sun

Hardy to -25°C

❓ How do you recognise this plant?

Despite its name 'flowering rush', it is not a true rush — its large pink umbels make it one of the most beautiful pond perennials.

🍃 Leaves

Long, narrow, triangular in cross-section, upright

🌸 Flowers

Large umbels of bright pink flowers with a darker centre

🍎 Fruits

Small clustered follicles

🪵 Bark

Submerged rhizome, flowering stems rising upright out of the water

🗺️ Distribution

Europe, temperate Asia; present but localised in wetlands, banks and ditches in France.

🐝 Value for pollinators

Pink nectar-rich umbels attractive to bees and various wetland insects.

✂️ Horticultural uses

Marginal and pond plant, for garden wetlands; decorative pink summer flowering.

⚠️ Possible toxicity

No known toxicity.

ℹ️ Educational profile — do not use it to judge whether a plant is edible or safe.

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