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Herbaceous Perennial

Oenanthe fistulosa

tubular water dropwort

A wetland perennial, ranging in height from 20cm to almost 1m, with pinnate, slightly grey-green leaves divided into lobed and toothed leaflets. Flat to dome-shaped clusters of tiny white flowers are borne on tall, hollow stems from mid summer to early autumn

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Clay

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Apiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Columnar upright
Potentially harmful: TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets if eaten (dogs) - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Oenanthe are perennials with a preference for damp ground, marshes or water. Hollow stems are shiny and can grow up to 2m tall. Leaves are triangular, shiny and bright green and flowers are arranged in small white clusters. Brown, rugby-shaped seeds follow the flowers.
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Europe, N Africa, SW Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Thrives in moist soil, with shelter from cold, drying winds. Suitable for a bog garden, as a marginal or as ground cover alongside streams or in areas prone to flooding

Propagation

Propagate by division in late spring, as growth begins, or by softwood cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

Deadhead if seed is not required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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