Comparing Cattail varieties — notes from growing several

I've grown several varieties within the Cattail family and have some observations to share. essential habitat and breeding ground for pond wildlife varies noticeably between them, more than catalogue descriptions suggest. The care fundamentals are shared — dividing overcrowded plants every two or three years in spring applies across all of them.

root-eating by water lily aphids or china mark moth affects some more than others, particularly in adverse conditions. I grow mine in a stream edge or bog garden which works well for most varieties. peak flowering period in midsummer is the clearest moment of differentiation between varieties — that's when the character of each comes through. Worth growing a few side by side if you have the space.