Eriophorum virginicum, commonly known as Virginia cottongrass, is a perennial sedge native to the acidic wetlands, bogs, and fens of eastern North America. It typically grows to a height of 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) and is noted for its distinctive fluffy, cotton-like seed heads that emerge in late summer, providing a unique textural element to the landscape. The plant’s foliage is grass-like, and the white seed heads can be quite showy, catching the eye as they sway in the breeze.

Virginia cottongrass is valued for its ability to thrive in challenging wetland conditions, making it an excellent choice for wetland restoration projects and water garden features. It is also used for its ornamental appeal in naturalistic plantings. This sedge requires full sun to part shade and prefers consistently wet, acidic soils. It is relatively low maintenance but may need to be managed to prevent it from spreading too aggressively in garden settings. While it has no major disease or pest issues, it can become invasive if conditions allow for unchecked growth.CC BY-SA 4.0