Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'

Corkscrew Rush is an ornamental rush forma of Juncus effusus with interesting twisted stems.  This variety is more conducive to being a specimen plant than the straight stemmed variety and can be a graceful addition to patios or ponds, It can grow in  1"-6" inches of water over the crown and works well in containers of 2 gallons or larger.  This wetland perennial grass is a rush or sedge 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.  These plants are located in almost every county in North Carolina.  They prefer full sun but can tolerate some shade.  They require consistently moist soil so they will grow in pots and as house plants. 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 "Spiralis" has no leaves, but the stems are attractive, cylindrical, green and smooth.   Spiralis' corkscrew stems are both upright and prostrate growing into a mass from 12 - 18 inches in height and spreading in similar width clumps.  The late summer-blooming flowers are yellowish-green to brown in many-flowered cymes with an obovoid capsule following as fruit. 

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