This native, evergreen perennial thrives as both a bog garden marginal and shallow water beauty. It's very narrow, grass-like leaves, reaching up to 15cm (6in) when submerged, weave into a spreading carpet, adorned with tiny brown spikelets on unbranched stems come summer. Eleocharis acicularis unveils its fine, bright green appearance underwater, doubling as an oxygenator and acting as a haven for pond life such as newts and water snails.