Overview
Luzula campestris is a tufted grass like in the genus Luzula, part of the Juncaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 1-2 years. Luzula campestris grows best in full shade, full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, wildflower meadow, low maintenance, banks and slopes, flower borders and beds and ground cover.
About
Luzula campestris, commonly known as field wood-rush or Good Friday grass is a flowering plant in the rush family Juncaceae. It is also one of the plants known as chimney sweeps or sweep's broom because of the brush-like appearance of their flowers. This is a very common plant throughout temperate Europe extending to the Caucasus. This species of Luzula is found on all types of native grasslands, and cultivated areas such as lawns, golf-course greens and fields. Mature plants reach roughly 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, carrying deciduous foliage. In the garden it prefers full shade, full sun and partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained, poorly-drained conditions and east-facing, north-facing, south-facing and west-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Luzula campestris
About the genus
Luzula is a genus of flowering plants in the rush family Juncaceae. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, with species occurring throughout the world, especially in temperate regions, the Arctic, and higher elevation areas in the tropics. Plants of the genus are known commonly as wood-rush, wood rush, or woodrush.
Wikipedia contributors, "Luzula", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Luzula
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Luzula
- Sunlight
- Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Luzula campestris size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Grass Like
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow, Low Maintenance, Banks and slopes, Flower borders and beds, Ground cover
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Luzula campestris
- Propagation
- Division, Seed
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Luzula campestris?
Luzula campestris prefers full shade, full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Luzula campestris need?
Luzula campestris is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It prefers acid and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to poorly-drained.
How big does Luzula campestris grow?
Luzula campestris reaches a height of 0.1-0.5 metres and a spread of 0.1-0.5 metres. It takes around 1-2 years to reach full size.
Is Luzula campestris hardy in the UK?
Luzula campestris has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Luzula campestris?
Division, Seed.
