Soft Rush 'Pencil Grass'

Juncus effusus 'Pencil Grass' is an architectural marginal plant known for its perfectly straight, upright, dark green stems that resemble a collection of pencils or thick blades of grass. It does not have the corkscrew habit of 'Spiralis', but rather provides a clean, vertical, and structured look to the pond edge. It is a clump-forming evergreen perennial that grows to about 40-60cm in height. Small clusters of brownish flowers emerge from the sides of the stems in summer, though they are quite understated. It is a tough and reliable plant, fully hardy (H7) and able to withstand the harshest UK winters. It is equally at home in a bog garden or planted in a marginal basket in water up to 10cm deep. Because it is evergreen, it provides essential structure and interest during the winter months when most other aquatic plants have died back to their roots.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Boggy soil or shallow water.

Hardiness: H7 — below −20°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul, Aug.