Growing Pickerel Rush: An Aquatic Plant for Your Garden

Looking to add more variety to your garden? Consider growing pickerel rush, an aquatic plant that adds a unique touch to any outdoor space. With its tall spikes of blue or white flowers and attractive foliage, this plant is not only beautiful but also easy to care for.

What is Pickerel Rush?

Pickerel rush, also known as pickerelweed, is a perennial plant that is native to the eastern United States. It grows in shallow waters such as marshes, swamps, and ponds, and can reach up to three feet tall. The leaves are long and narrow, with a distinctive arrowhead shape, while the flowers bloom in late summer and early fall.

Pickeral Rush Leaves

How to Grow Pickerel Rush

Pickerel rush is a hardy plant that can grow in a variety of soil types, from sandy to clay. It prefers full sun to partial shade and should be planted in water up to six inches deep. If you don't have access to natural bodies of water, you can grow pickerel rush in containers filled with water.

Pickerel Rush Planted in a Container

The best time to plant pickerel rush is in the spring, after the last frost has passed. You can start with seeds or transplants, which can be purchased at your local nursery or online. When planting, make sure to space the plants about two feet apart to allow them room to grow.

Caring for pickerel rush is relatively easy. The most important thing is to keep the plant well-watered, either by natural rainfall or regular watering if grown in containers. You can also fertilize the plant once or twice a year with a slow-release fertilizer or a liquid fertilizer specifically designed for aquatic plants.

Benefits of Growing Pickerel Rush

Growing pickerel rush not only adds beauty to your garden, but it also provides many benefits to the environment. The plant helps to filter and purify water, removing excess nutrients and pollutants. It also provides habitat and food for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.

Monarch Butterfly on a Pickerel Rush Flower

In addition to its environmental benefits, pickerel rush is also used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments such as inflammation, coughs, and fever. However, it is important to note that the plant should not be consumed without proper guidance from a health professional.

Overall, growing pickerel rush is a great way to add a unique touch to your garden while also contributing to the health of the environment. With its beautiful flowers and easy care requirements, this plant is a must-have for any water garden or outdoor space. So why not give it a try?

: aquatic plant, pond plant, wetland plant, water purification, wildlife habitat, traditional medicine.