5" Ornamental Grass, Soft Rush Juncus

This wetland perennial grass is generally known by many names such as common rush, mat rush or soft rush.  It is found in bogs, marshes and swamps and is native over large portions of temperate climates of the world.  Varieties can be found throughout the United States except for South Dakota, Wyoming, and Utah.  The variety in NC is Juncus effusus spp. solutus. They prefer full sun but can tolerate some shade.  They require consistently moist soil so they will grow in pots and as house plants. They can be grown in 1-2 gallon containers with no more than 3 - 5 inches of water over the crown.  Spreading and propagation are by division of the rhizomes and self-seeding which can be difficult to control  Planting the rhizomes in in-ground pots with the lip above ground can help limit the spread.  In zones with warm winters they can remain evergreen.  In cooler climes, the foliage becomes yellow, then brown in fall to winter dying back to the ground. Juncus effusus has no leaves, but the stems are attractive upright, cylindrical green and smooth from 12 - 36 inches in height and spreading in clumps.  The late summer-blooming flowers are yellowish-green to brown in many-flowered cymes with an obovoid capsule following as fruit.