Dwarf Tassel Cord Rush (Baloskion tetraphyllus 'Dwarf') with floating ring

Add texture, movement and native beauty to your pond with the Dwarf Tassel Cord Rush (Baloskion tetraphyllus 'Dwarf'). This compact Australian native pond plant features soft, feathery foliage and a graceful, upright habit, making it an excellent choice for smaller ponds, rain gardens, water features and bog gardens.

Height: up to 50cm

Spread: Clumping growth habit

Foliage: Bright green, fine-textured stems

Flowers: Brown, tassel-like clusters in spring–summer

Origin: Australia

Growing to around 50cm tall, this dwarf form offers all the charm of the traditional Tassel Cord Rush without overwhelming your pond. Its fine, arching foliage creates a soft, natural look while providing valuable habitat for frogs, beneficial insects and other native wildlife.

Thriving in full sun to part shade, Dwarf Tassel Cord Rush grows happily in moist soil, pond margins and areas that experience seasonal flooding. Its compact size makes it ideal for edging ponds, softening hard landscaping and adding year-round interest to both modern and naturalistic water gardens.

If you love the look of our popular Tassel Cord Rush (Baloskion tetraphyllus) but have a smaller pond or limited planting space, this compact variety is the perfect alternative.

Why You'll Love Dwarf Tassel Cord Rush

• Compact Australian native pond plant.

• Soft, feathery foliage creates beautiful texture and movement.

• Ideal for small ponds, pond edges and water features.

• Reaches approximately 50cm high.

• Thrives in full sun to part shade.

• Grows in moist soil and shallow pond margins.

• Tolerates seasonal flooding.

• Excellent for attracting frogs and supporting biodiversity.

• Low-maintenance and easy to grow.

• Suitable for both formal and natural-style ponds.

Perfect For

• Backyard ponds

• Wildlife ponds

• Bog gardens

• Rain gardens

• Pond edges and shallow water

• Native gardens

• Small water features

• Stream edges

Planting Guide

Plant Dwarf Tassel Cord Rush in consistently moist soil or shallow water around the pond margin. It performs best in a sunny to partly shaded position and appreciates regular moisture while becoming well established.

This hardy Australian native tolerates seasonal flooding, making it an excellent choice for areas that alternate between wet and dry conditions throughout the year.

Dwarf vs Standard Tassel Cord Rush

Not sure which variety is right for your pond?

Dwarf Tassel Cord Rush (Baloskion tetraphyllus 'Dwarf')

• Compact growth to approximately 50cm

• Perfect for small ponds and courtyard water features

• Ideal where a lower-growing plant is preferred

Standard Tassel Cord Rush (Baloskion tetraphyllus)

• Grows up to 1.5 metres tall

• Best suited to larger ponds and natural water gardens

• Creates a bold architectural feature

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dwarf Tassel Cord Rush an Australian native?

Yes. Dwarf Tassel Cord Rush is a compact form of the Australian native Baloskion tetraphyllus, making it an excellent choice for native gardens and wildlife-friendly ponds.

Where should I plant Dwarf Tassel Cord Rush?

Plant it in moist soil, along pond margins or in shallow water where it receives full sun to part shade.

How tall does Dwarf Tassel Cord Rush grow?

This compact variety typically reaches around 50cm in height, making it much smaller than the standard Tassel Cord Rush, which can grow to approximately 1.5 metres.

Is Dwarf Tassel Cord Rush suitable for small ponds?

Absolutely. Its compact size makes it one of the best Australian native rushes for smaller ponds, patio ponds and water features.

Does it tolerate flooding?

Yes. Dwarf Tassel Cord Rush naturally tolerates seasonal flooding and performs well in wet conditions, making it ideal for pond margins and rain gardens.

Botanical Name

Baloskion tetraphyllus 'Dwarf'

Common Name

Dwarf Tassel Cord Rush

Mature Height

Approximately 50cm

Position

Full sun to part shade.

Planting Area

Moist soil, pond margins and shallow water.

Growth Habit

Compact, upright with soft, feathery foliage.

Suitable For

Small to medium ponds, rain gardens, bog gardens, native landscapes and water features.