Poverty Rush Juncus tenuis

Wire Grass is a perennial. flowering grass or sedge that does well in cold climates and wet heavy clay or loamy soil.  It is typically found in thickets and swamps and weedy locations like roadsides, sidewalks and parking strips. The genus name means rush. The species name means slender or thin,  referring to the leaves.

Wire Grass grows easily in average, medium to wet, soil in full sun or partial shade. Because the plant thrives in water, plant them along pond margins, in rain or rock gardens or in containers. Clumps of Wire Grass can easily be divided in spring and replanted. Wire Grass is undemanding and low maintenance, self-sowing with soft, touchable foliage. It should be mowed high (3 to 8 inches) to maintain a uniform look.

It has tough but smooth, stems, medium green leaves that turn brown with frost, and tiny flowers clustered at or near the stem tips. Wire Grass can spread quickly with windblown seeds or rhizomes and can become weedy, although these same traits make it useful as a ground cover. Alternatively, it can be grown in a container.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No significant problems though some consider this plant weedy. Aphids can be a problem.