Juncus effusus
Common rush, Soft rush, Japanese mat rush
- Height × spread
- 1.5m × 0.5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Best known through its more showy cultivars the species makes spreading clumps of very upright slender green reeds. They have an attractive stiff habit of growth and remain green all year through. It produces clusters of brown flowers in autumn which grow out from one side of the upright stems, part-way along its length. It likes boggy or moist soil, or water up to a depth of 10cm, preferably where the water level drops to leave mud in summer. This is a British native that is also widespread across the world, and has a long history of use for weaving, or to make 'rushlights'. In the UK rushes were once used as 'strewing herbs' cast on the floor, or even used for thatching. The picturesque images evoked become less appealing when it is realised that rushes were seldom cleared and were the repository for all the food items dropped on them from the table. They proved a useful habitat for creatures we now find offensive in the home.
- Flower colour
- Brown
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 1.5m
- Spread
- 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Water garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Water depth
- Up to 10cm
- Use for
- Ground cover
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring · Outdoors
Feed with aquatic plant food
As the plant is grown in water, feed with an aquatic feed as directed on the packet. Do not exceed the amounts given as this can affect the water.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water frequently to keep the soil moist
The plant thrives in moist or boggy soil, doesn't tolerate dryness and should be watered frequently, not only after a period of drought, but if the soil begins to dry out spring to autumn. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.