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Beginner
skill rating |
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0.5m
max. spread |
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0.5m
max. height |
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2-5 years
to maturity |
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1 hour care
per year |
Botanical name: Hippuris vulgaris
Other names: Mare's tail, Bottlebrush, Cat tail, Joint weed, Paddock piper, Common mare's tail, Witch's milk
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Genus: Hippuris
Species: H. vulgaris - H. vulgaris is an oxygenating aquatic plant. It has stems cladded with whorls of linear, blue-green foliage and some are submerged, whilst some are massed in an upright habit above the water surface. It provides useful cover for small fish and other pond wildlife.
Hippuris vulgaris is: Evergreen
Flower: Green, Insignificant or absent in Summer
Foliage: Blue-green in All seasons
Habit: Upright
Hippuris vulgaris (Mare's tail) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
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Suggested uses: Aquatic
Cultivation: Plant in a basket in aquatic soil and cover with a layer of grit. Place basket at a depth of between 10 and 20cm.
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| Soil types: |
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) |
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| Soil drainage: |
Pond/In water |
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| Soil pH: |
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
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| Light: |
Full Sun |
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| Aspect: |
South, East, West |
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| Exposure: |
Exposed, Sheltered |
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| Hardiness: |
Hardy (H4) |
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Discuss Hippuris vulgaris (Mare's tail) with other Shoot members.
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Question from
Sue Kimber
I planted it as a marginal 3 three years ago and it has run rampant. It's roots have spread through the entire bottom of the pond making it impossible to remove and all I can do is keep pulling the stems out from the base every week throughout the growing season.
The pond is too big to do this from the sides so I have to put waders on and get into it every week. This isn't good for the pond as it stirs up the clay silt and makes the water cloudy. This awful plant grows so fast that it would completely fill the pond if I stopped pulling it out but I just can't keep pace with it. I rue the day I planted the stuff - and am really surprised that garden centres sell it without any warning notices on its invasiveness.
Emptying and dredging the pond seems to be the only solution but it's full of fish and wildlife and would be a very big job.
Can anyone help with advice on controlling it?
- Views: 217
- Replies: 1
- Posted: Sun. 27th March 2011 16:59
- Last reply: Tue. 29th March 2011 00:02
Question from
Maureen Burman
I have a gravel driveway with Mare's tail growing through and is such a nuisance. I've tried every weedkiller under the sun. Does anyone know how to rid of this beast without having to tarmac the driveway.
Thanks
- Views: 303
- Replies: 1
- Posted: Mon. 19th January 2009 17:21
- Last reply: Mon. 19th January 2009 20:44
We list 5 suppliers who tell us they sell Hippuris vulgaris (Mare's tail). In order to see the list you'll need to either register or log in as a full member.
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