Juncus effusus (Common Rush)

A good vertical accent plant, Juncus effusus (Common Rush) is a clump-forming, evergreen, rhizomatous perennial boasting smooth, upright, rounded, bright green stems that form arching fans.

A good vertical accent plant, Juncus effusus (Common Rush) is a clump-forming, evergreen, rhizomatous perennial boasting smooth, upright, rounded, bright green stems that form arching fans. From late spring to summer, rounded heads of very small, greenish brown, scaly flowers emerge on the sides of the stems just below the stem tips. The foliage retains its color all year long in warm winter climates. In cold areas, it turns yellow in the fall before browning up for the winter. The strongly upright foliage of this species looks great in the water garden and provides a lovely background for other pond plants. Juncus effusus is considered to be a somewhat invasive weed in a number of locations.

  • Grows up to 2-4 ft. tall and across (60-120 cm). This plant will spread in the landscape by rhizomes and by self-seeding.
  • Performs best in full sun in moist to wet soils. While it thrives in consistently moist garden soil, it can also be planted in standing water to 4 in. deep (10 cm).
  • This architectural grass is highly versatile. It may be grown at the edge of a pond or water garden, in boggy areas, in shallow water and may help control soil erosion on moist banks. Great for containers too.
  • Requires very little care, is virtually disease-free, pest-free and provides year-round interest
  • Remove dead foliage and old flowered stems in spring.
  • Propagate by division from mid-spring to early summer.
  • Native to Eurasia, North America, Australia, New Zealand.

Requirements

Hardiness 4
– 10

Heat Zones 6
– 9

Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Ornamental Grasses, Perennials
Plant Family Juncus – Rushes
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter
Height 2'
– 4'
(60cm
– 120cm)
Spread 2'
– 4'
(60cm
– 120cm)
Spacing 24″
– 48″
(60cm
– 120cm)
Water Needs High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants Australia, United States, Alaska, California, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Wet Soil
Garden Uses Bog Gardens, Patio and Containers, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow