About
Juncus effusus, the common rush, is a vigorous, clump-forming, evergreen perennial to 1.5 m tall with bright-green to yellowish-green, cylindrical, glossy stems forming arching fans. From late spring to summer, rounded clusters of small, green to brown flowers emerge laterally near the stem tips. One of the most distinctive rushes for pond margins, bog gardens and large drifts.
About the genus
Juncus, the rushes, are annuals and evergreen or deciduous perennials forming clumps or tussocks of narrow, cylindrical or flattened, often grass-like leaves and bearing clusters of small, brown flowers borne on leaf-like stems in summer. Grown in moist borders, bog gardens and pond margins.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Full shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid
Soil moisturePoorly-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeBogs, Grass Like
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Wildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow
Native toCosmopolitan
Care notes
CultivationGrow in permanently moist, acid soil in sun or partial shade. May also be grown in very shallow water at pool margins
PruningRemove dead foliage and old flowered stems in spring
PropagationPropagate by division from mid-spring to early summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free