Content
- Cattail and reed
- Explanation: reeds, cattails and reeds
- Properties of cattail and reed
- Selection for the garden pond: reed or cattail?
- Tips
Cattail and reed are both part of the sweet grass family
Cattail and reed
The cattail (Typha) grows like the reed (Phragmites australis) in nature on the shores of many lakes and in boggy areas. In some cases, the distinction between the two plant species and the corresponding terminology leads to confusion.
Explanation: reeds, cattails and reeds
In general parlance, the term "reed" refers not only to the location of the characteristic riparian zones of many lakes, which serve as a breeding ground for rare birds with their dense, halm-like growth. The generic term is also usually used to describe all plants that proliferate in swampy ground (usually with rather acidic environment) proliferating and are cut in autumn in dried form as a decorative element or as a material for privacy mats and roof coverings. While cattail and reed are quite different in their appearance, both genera belong to the family of grasses (Poaceae).
Properties of cattail and reed
Also for the planting of garden ponds bulrush and reed are equally gladly used, since they have similar characteristics:
Since sweet grasses such as reed and cattail (popularly also lamp cleaners) are strong nutrient-consuming, they insulate strong algae growth as a result of a water rehydration problem without any chemical means. In the fall or early spring, the dried-up culms of the previous season can be cut close to the ground and used as a screen or cover for frost-sensitive plants.
Selection for the garden pond: reed or cattail?
Visually, it is a matter of taste whether you prefer to plant the cattail or the reed at your garden pond. However, in the past, many owners of foil ponds in the garden reported damage to the pond liner through the root system of the reed. Since the rhizomes of the cattail are less pointed than those of the reed, this is less likely to damage the pond liner. But if you have a larger population of voles in your garden, you may also end up with the cattail causing damage to the pond liner: After all, the starchy, thick rhizomes of the lamp cleaner are an overly tempting snack, for which the voles are probably also from time to holes gnawing in the pond liner.
Tips
Cattail and reed are roughly equal in predatory competition. However, you can protect other riparian zone plants from displacement by planting cattails and reeds in plant baskets or in specially defined areas.