Schoenoplectus lacustris subsp tabernaemontani Zebrinus

Schoenoplectus lacustris ssp. tabernaemontani 'Zebrinus', also known as Grey Club-rush, is an aquatic perennial, related to papyrus. It forms clumps of upright, glaucous and heavily striated stems with cream-white stripes, which are semi-evergreen. This sedge grows quite tall and produces dense heads of reddish-brown spikelets in the summer. It thrives in heavy, wet, marshy soil and is a must-have for submerged banks. Along water edges, it adds brightness and height to aquatic scenes.

'Zebrinus' Grey Club-rush is rhizomatous and stoloniferous. The upright stems are semi-evergreen. Widely distributed across the globe, it belongs to the Cyperaceae family. This slow-growing plant can reach a height of 1.2m (4ft) and spreads through its rhizomes, covering a minimum area of 60cm (24in), and can become quite large if given enough space. The flowering period occurs from May to August, with clustered spikelets forming spherical and compact glomerules. It is followed by fruits consisting of two achenes measuring 2 to 2.5mm (1in) in length.

Grey Club-rush naturally thrives on wet shores and banks. This plant deserves ample space to reach its full potential. In the wild, S. tabernaemontani can form dense colonies. In gardens, it can be associated with a few species that can coexist with it: aquatic sedge (Carex aquatilis), wild rice (Zizania palustris), willowherbs, certain arrowheads, and certain bur-reeds. It can be used as a purifying plant.