Juncus ensifolius 'Flying Hedgehogs'

RHS Plant Profile
swordleaf rush 'Flying Hedgehogs'

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Semi-evergreen to evergreen, rhizomatous perennial about 45cm tall, with clumps of upright stems and flat, curved, mid-green basal leaves to 25cm long. Produces spiky, globular flowerheads of small greenish-dark brown flowers in summer followed by dark brown seedheads

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–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)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Juncaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen, Semi 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
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in permanently moist acid soil in sun or part shade

Propagation

Propagate by division from mid-spring to early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required, tidy after flowering if necessary

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust