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Juncus effusus subsp. solutus

Previously known as:

  • Juncus effusus var. solutus
Phonetic Spelling
JUN-kus eff-YOO-sus sol-LOO-tus
Description

Eastern Soft Rush is a perennial, flowering, ornamental grass or sedge. In its native environment in Eastern Canada and the eastern United States it can often be found in moist soil, marshes, the margins of streams, ponds, swamps and low meadows. It can spread aggressively by rhizomes or self-seeding and clumps can easily be divided in the spring and replanted directly into the soil. The stems may appear to be coarse and stiff, but they are soft to the touch. The genus name means rush. The species name means loose-spreading in reference to the plant's spreading habit.

Eastern Soft Rush does well in sandy, loamy, or clay soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. It grows in full sun, but tolerates partial shade, and prefers moist or consistently wet conditions. For best flowering, plant in full sun. It will tolerate strong winds, but does not do well with exposure to seaside salt. In cooler climates, outdoor clumps will die back to the ground in winter and old foliage can be cut back in early spring to rejuvenate the plant. Eastern Soft Rush is not typically grown as a garden plant, but will do well at the edge of a pond as a water garden accent or in containers.

Diseases, Insect Pests and Other Plant Problems: 

No known insect or disease problems, but rust, leaf spot and stem rots can occur.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#sedge#ornamental grass#NC native#native ornamental grass#food source summer#food source fall#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#Piedmont Mountains FACW#mammals#rushes#Audubon#flowering#perennial grass
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#sedge#ornamental grass#NC native#native ornamental grass#food source summer#food source fall#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#Piedmont Mountains FACW#mammals#rushes#Audubon#flowering#perennial grass
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Juncus
    Species:
    effusus
    Family:
    Juncaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Various Native American peoples used common soft rush stems for tying, binding and weaving. Fibers can also be used to make paper.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern Canada, central and eastern United States.
    Distribution:
    North western Canada.
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant attracts mammals.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Spreading
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Brown round to triangular fruit displays fro July to October.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are greenish or pale brown and blossom in late summer. Petals and sepals are essentially alike. Flowers bloom in one-sided clusters (many-flowered cymes) located on stem sides slightly below the stem tips.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves consist of bladeless sheaths. The plant will remain evergreen in mild winter climates. The smooth, upright, cylindrical, unjointed, spire-like green stems grow in spreading basal clumps.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Pond
    Riparian
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Erosion
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Weedy