Juncus effusus

Common Names

Soft Rush, Common Rush, Corkscrew Rush, Pin Rush, Sugar Grass, Bog Rush, Mat Rush

Summary

Common Rush (Juncus effusus) is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial native to North America that provides vertical interest with arching fans of bright green, cylindrical, leafless stems, typically reaching about 2–4 feet tall and wide, flowering occurs as inconspicuous greenish-brown blooms on the stem sides in summer, with seed capsules maturing by late summer, this wetland-adapted plant thrives in ponds, boggy areas, and moist soils, tolerating shallow standing water and contributing texture to water-edge plantings, for cultivation, prefer permanently moist to wet soil in full sun to partial shade, with USDA hardiness from 4–9, propagation is by division in spring and from seed, and maintenance is low with few pests or diseases reported, common uses include water gardens, pond edges, bioswales, rain gardens, erosion control, and wildlife habitat plantings in aquatic or moist landscapes.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

2-4 feet

Spread

12-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun, tolerates Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Moist to wet, waterlogged soil

Soil Drainage

Consistently wet or waterlogged soil

Soil pH

4.0-6.5, Acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

Brown

Bloom Time

Spring through Fall

Foliage Color

Green; may become YellowGreen in autumn and winter.

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Other

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds