Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Identifying plants Bulrush good or bad

Thinking about establishing some Bulrush on a portion of our 15 acre lake. What are the pro and cons of doing this?

Thanks

I think there are different types of it, and I like it better than cattails. They can help stop some erosion and give habbitat but they can also over grow the shallow areas. That's my limited experience.

I have seen soft stem and hard stem bulrush grow in all the water less than 4 ft deep. Control is important.

I agree Bill. That's why I am looking at Bullrush vs Cattail. Less invasive and easier to control. The area I am wanting to plant it is on the north end which is a shallow point/flat about 7ft deep before it drops off to 10ft plus. During the drought a good deal of this point was exposed which could be used as a time to cut it back if need be.

Bull rush growth pattern definitely does not grow as dense as cattail. Fish can maneuver much easier through bullrush beds compared to cattail beds. IMO - Habitat wise bulrush is better for fish habitat than cattails.

I am still struggling to find a marginal that can survive/thrive with the huge water level fluctuation in my water table pond. Would a Bull Rush species be an answer for me?

Yes Bill that's why I am wanting to get some established. Primarily for fish habitat and waterfowl/Birds . The north end of the lake is hard to get on foot. The south end by the dam is where the majority of the recreation opportunities will take place.. ie swimming , bank fishing etc. Not saying it can't spread to that end but it has to cross lots of deep water to do it. Would be totally by seeds seeding. Which I can control fairly easy.

Bill from my research it maybe. Bulrush appears to be pretty hardy. I would also think it would depend upon what is your soil composition and the grade of your pond. In my situation , where I am wanting to establish it, it is a gentle grade and soggy clay type soil. Hold moisture extremely well. Even during the peak of the drough you could dig down a few inches and hit moisture.

Thanks Brandon. I think I'll try a few.

Welcome. Do you know when to plant. From what I am gathering you plant "plugs" 2-3ft apart. Still wondering if I can plant/sprig this spring

I'll be planting end of May thru June. I want the water temps high 60s or better. Not sure when you reach those temps. I'd watch for other vegetation starting to grow and go from there. Maybe one of the other guys has better info.

I prefer bullrush over cattails anyday. I do rake and cut out the dead ones in early spring to remove the organic matter and make room for the new growth.

Wouldn't mind if it pretty much spread all the way around the pond. It seems to create a nice barrier for wading birds like the Great Blue Heron.

Our water temps are in the mid 60's so I guess we're good. I will order 100 plugs in the next couple of weeks to plant

Do you have a good source that ships? I would be interested as well.

Possibly . My brother is real good friends with a person that owns a commercial Nursery. I will call him tomorrow.

It seems to prefer a firmer bottom. I have it wherever I added pea gravel.

A nearby lake has a large sandbar across the middle. It used to be thick with Bullrush. There hasn't been any for years. According to a local biologist the young shoots were gobbled up by Canadan geese. Maybe something to keep in mind?

Good information. Thanks. Hell if Canadian Geese get this far they deserve a snack lol.

Don't usually see them down there? Would you like me to give them your address?

No were good. Got enough free loaders as is.

Kelly Duffie would know the best chemical control method for bullrush. It can spread pretty fast, but not as fast nor usually as deep as cattails. I've seen bulrush grow in sand and mud bottom, soft water & hard water. It grows well in clay bottom drainage ditches in most all of Ohio. IMO it is not too critical of soil type as long as it is not unconsolidated very loose organics. The tallest specie (Giant bulrush?) in optimum conditions may grow 5ft deep. Do your homework before planting. Be aware there are several species in at least two plant genera. There are numerous places in most all areas of the country it could be collected in the natural setting.

http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/plant-identification/alphabetical-index/bulrush/
18"-100" is a big variation! http://www.blackfootnativeplants.com/giant-bulrush-scirpus-validus/blackfoot-native-plants/
10ft is pretty tall for a pond plant
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/plantid2/descriptions/sci.html

IMO most would do better for small pond use to use the smaller Juncus effusus rush.
http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/grasses/plants/soft_rush.htm

There are other small rushes and sedges available that could be better than the bulrush or J.effusus. Do your homework before planting!

Aquatic iris would be an option where water levels give way to drought, they are tough as boots and less likely to be gobbled by grazing critters

Andrew, I have a feeling I will be talking to you in a month or so about getting some plants!

I wish that my pond level would stay stable enough for some of those beautiful hardy lilies.

Scott,

How is your pond water level? Mine are as high as they've ever been.

Full pool and flowing out. Hooray!!!!!!!!

I really like this idea!!! Any particular iris for West Central Texas?

Awesome!

Change that to 2" below flowing out now.....

I don't know many pond iris which are are not suitable for a pond location in Texas, some are especially picturesque just for looks.

Their rhizomes are extremely resilient to drought if water levels drop, fish and small critters will appreciate the shade they cast at the beginning and end of the day, they are well suited to be used as floating island plants as they have neutral buoyancy, that creates shade, shelter and a place for fish to spawn

In this pinterest gallery are photos of 20 or so pond iris I've collected over the years, I like them as they cope so well on my clay ponds which tend to drought harsh in the Summer months even with progressively hotter droughty summers (bone dry)

:::ahem::: I list spares for sale on craigslist now and then

http://www.pinterest.com/adavisus/iris-for-ponds-aquatic-positions/

Regards, andy

I planted last Spring and over the summer pond dropped 4 feet did not fill back up until this Spring. The following plants were fine and are flourishing this year:

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Blue Flag Iris (Iris virginica)
Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia)

Survey is still out on:
Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) which I think is starting to come up.
Monkeyflower (Mimulus ringens)

The White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) is dead as a door nail.

Yup, aquatic iris are an elegant solution for hot sunny ponds

Brandon, here in E Texas, my Blue Flag and my Louisiana Iris has done really well planted along the water edge. The plants are setting in about a foot of water right now and last summer they did well about 18" from the waters edge. They are hardy and the also put out some nice looking flowers with the La being a yellow flower. Blue flag have already been pictured here. The iris is spreading by about 1/3rd of the original plant size. And doing well. hope this helps u make a call on the iris

Tracy

I have a variety of Spike Rush that grew naturally in my old pond. I've transferred several plugs of it last fall to my main pond and a few of the plugs have taken hold. I really like it. My variety gets from 6-9" tall by the time it seeds out.

I also planted what I think is a soft rush in a couple places. It took hold well and is about 2-3' tall. I like it but think I like the spike rush better so when it got to the point of seeding out I whacked it with a mower so it would not spread by seed. Will leave the original plantings but would rather have the spike rush propagate more so want it to spread its seed around the pond more than the soft rush.

Also going to try some flag Iris (not sure of the variety yet). FIL/MIL has a large patch of it they cultivate in their yard and have given me permission to get some plantings from it.

I like the spike rush as well. I may have planted mine to close to the water line at very low pool last year though. It is under probably 2 feet of water now so not sure it will come back this year. I ordered more yesterday just in case. I also ordered a few Iris pseudacorus Yellow to see how they will do. More duck potato and a couple more lilies are also coming in the same order.

Have a few photos of some of the Rush on my place. I don't know the specific varieties but if I had to guess I would guess the smallest one pictured is one of the spike rush varieties and the larger specimens are one of the soft rush varieties.

The last picture is of a clump that I don't remember if it is from one of the spike rush plugs I transplanted last fall from my old pond or something that the birds have brought in. It looks just like what is in my forage pond. If it is the same spike rush that is in my old pond, it is a much better environment because it is getting bigger than that in my old pond (which is in a pure clay bank so is possible).

First three pictures are from my old pond.

I'm just shooting in the dark about the varieties. Maybe some of the experts can help out.

Snrub - I think all your pictures are of two kinds of spike rush.

I ordered Hardstem Bulrush on Saturday. It arrived Tuesday and we got it planted. I'll post a pic if it does well....Actually found a place that prices their plants at reasonable prices geared towards farm pond owners, not Koi Pond owners. Also picked up a couple Hardy Yellow Lilies and several Yellow Sweetflag Iris, Duck Potato and Spike rush. All the plants looked great.

Cool. The picture that is in the small creek is about 3' tall, so the spike rush varieties vary a lot. I like the shorter variety the best.

Thanks.