Buy Equisetum scirpoides

Dwarf version of the common horsetail reaching only 6-10" tall and spreading to form a matted groundcover to 3-4 ft wide. Thin, dark green stems have black banding at the nodes -- a nice texture. Happy in sun or shade as long as there is water around. Can be submerged up to 2". Like its larger cousins, a vigorous spreader, so best restrained in containers. Frost hardy to -40F, USDA zone 4.

The thin, wiry stems of this dwarf cousin to the well-known horsetail, reach 6-8" tall and form dense mats of segmented, dark green stalks. Rush-like, with a unique architectural quality and small club-shaped fruits, this is a good choice for small containers. Rhizomatous by nature, it may need some restraint to keep from becoming invasive, particularly in wet or boggy sites; plants will not spread where water is withheld. Tolerant of windy coastal conditions, moderate shade, and cold, as well as full sun and heat, the dwarf horsetail only needs constant moisture to look its best, and in fact grows well in shallow water. In cool weather plants take on a slight burgundy hue. Hardy to below 0 °F. Eurasia, Greenland, North America.

Zones 4-7 Half to full sun. Works well with hostas, Japanese maple,sedums, or in a rockery. 6" tall, very fine, wirey texture, evergreen. Well drained but moist soil. Prolific if it likes where you plant it. Dreadfully cute.

This dwarf north-country-native scouring-rush grows in tufts to only 3-6" on moist wooded banks, Labrador to AK ; south to Illinois; it could be appropriately used in any wet situation or even as a bonsai companion.

Dwarf Horsetail. A charming miniature rush that adds a unique accent to the small scale garden. 6-10" tall wiry stalks with typical dark banding. Prefers a wet to boggy soil and is suitable for edging ponds.