Fibre-optic Plant (Isolepis cernua syn. Scirpus cernuus) - Compact Marginal for Small & Barrel Ponds

Joel says…
“For barrel ponds and small features, this is spot-on - clean lines, soft movement and a place for little creatures to hide. Keep the crown at the waterline and it’ll look sharp all season.”

Also sold as “fibre-optic grass”, Isolepis cernua is actually a rush - ideal where you want soft movement and a clean, modern look in small water features. Clumps reach 10-25 cm tall and are happiest with the crown at the waterline or in constantly wet soil on the pond edge. The tiny starry florets add sparkle in summer; wildlife value is modest nectar but useful micro-habitat for young amphibians and invertebrates.

It’s excellent for barrel ponds and containers, shallow shelves, rills and boggy pockets that never dry out. In borders, it makes a tidy accent in moist, humus-rich soil; in pots, use aquatic compost and top with washed gravel to keep media in place.

Where it thrives

• Sun to light/part shade

• Wet soil or very shallow water (crown just at or slightly above the surface; 0-2 cm over the crown)

• Great in barrel ponds, small raised ponds, rills, and shallow shelves

Planting & care

• Plant in a marginal basket with aquatic compost; top-dress with washed gravel.

• Keep consistently moist - do not let it dry out.

• Trim tatty strands to refresh the tuft.

• Hardiness (honest note): can be nipped by hard frost. In cold areas, overwinter a clump in a frost-free spot (cool greenhouse/porch) or treat as a seasonal accent and re-plant in spring.

Wildlife truth:
Not a nectar “magnet”, but its dense, fine foliage offers refuge for fry, tadpoles and aquatic mini-beasts in small ponds where structure is precious. Pair with oxygenators and a few native marginals for a balanced habitat.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are ordering perennials between the months of October and March, including aquatic plants, please be aware that this is the dormant phase for perennials, so your plants may arrive showing potentially little or no top growth at this stage, or can in some cases still have some old leaves from last year showing also. Please don't worry, as this is all quite normal. Once the weather warms up in spring, you will start to see fresh growth and activity! If you ever have any concerns at all, please just message the team on enquiries@wildyourgarden.com and we'll always do our best to help.