Juncus effusus

RHS Plant Profile
common rush

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common rush RHS

Other common names

corkscrew rush, pin rush, soft rush, sugar grass

Bogs Grass Like
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A clump-forming, evergreen, grass-like perennial to 1.5m tall. Its bright green to yellowish rounded stems that form arching fans, From late spring to summer, rounded heads of small green to brown flowers emerge on the sides of the stems just below the stem tips

Position

Full sun, Full shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Full sun Full shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Juncaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Juncus can be annuals, deciduous or evergreen perennials, forming clumps of narrow, often cylindrical leaves, with clusters of small brown flowers borne on leaf-like stems in summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Cosmopolitan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in permanently moist, acid soil in sun or partial shade. May also be grown in very shallow water at pool margins

Propagation

Propagate by division from mid-spring to early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Remove dead foliage and old flowered stems in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free