Flowering Rush ‘Schneeweißchen’ (Butomus umbellatus - white form, Cultivar of a Native) - for Shallow Shelves (Peat-Free, Pesticide-Free)

A refined white-flowered form of our native Flowering Rush, ‘Schneeweißchen’ lifts starry white blooms in open umbels above slender, sword-like leaves, giving a light, architectural look on the shallow shelf. Like the pink species, it’s neat in growth and excellent for emergence structure (dragonflies/damselflies) and edge cover for amphibians. The many small, open florets offer moderate value to hoverflies and small bees on sunny days. Expect roughly 60-120 cm in bloom (taller in rich sites) with a steadily expanding base that’s easy to manage when basketed. Set the crown at water level to 0-15(-25) cm below the surface, or in reliably damp ground just beyond the liner.

Where it thrives

• Light: Full sun to light/partial shade (best flowering in good light)

• Moisture/Zone: Pond margin / shallow shelf; crown at water level or with 0-15(-25) cm water over the soil

• Setting: Mid/back of the shelf for airy height; partners beautifully with Purple Loosestrife, Water Mint, sedges and a low edging mix in front

Planting & care

• Plant in a mesh aquatic basket with peat-free aquatic compost; top with washed grit to prevent float

• Deadhead spent umbels to keep things tidy (and to limit self-seeding in small ponds)

• Divide every 2-3 years in spring to refresh clumps and manage footprint

• Remove old foliage in late winter/early spring; keep trimmings out of natural watercourses

Safety (important & honest):
Ornamental use only - do not ingest. Wash hands after pond work. Never release garden plants or pond water into the wild.

Truth-first wildlife note:
The white umbels are open and accessible (good for hoverflies/small bees), while the vertical stems provide top emergence support. As with all pond plants, it won’t clear water alone - combine with a mixed marginal palette, a little surface shade, and low nutrient input for a balanced, wildlife-rich pond.

Joel says…
“White ‘fireworks’ above slim leaves - clean, airy and properly useful. Basket it shallow, deadhead after the show, and let it lift the shelf without weighing it down.”