Twisted Arrows
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