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Botanical name: Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’
A superb plant with very curious twisted, spiraling foliage, well suited to aquatic containers and boggy, poorly drained areas; best used in the foreground or in a container.
| Hardiness zone | 4b |
|---|---|
| Flower color | brown |
| Foliage type | deciduous * |
| Plant form | upright spreading |
| Mature height | 18 inches |
| Spread | 18 inches |
| Light requirements | full sun to partial shade |
| Moisture requirements | moist to wet |
| Plant origin | North American native |
* deciduous = loses leaves in winter
Spiralis Corkscrew Rush's attractive twisted grassy leaves remain green in color throughout the season. It features subtle bracted brown frilly flowers at the ends of the stems from early summer to early fall. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Spiralis Corkscrew Rush is an open herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cut back to the ground in late winter before active growth resumes. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Spiralis Corkscrew Rush is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Mass Planting, Border Edging, General Garden Use, Container Planting, Bog Gardens
Spiralis Corkscrew Rush will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 18 inches. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 8 years.
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in moist to wet soil, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species.
Spiralis Corkscrew Rush is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
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