Juncus inflexus (Hard rush)

Botanical name

Juncus inflexus

Other names

Hard rush, Europen meadow rush

Genus

Juncus Juncus

Species

J. inflexus - J. inflexus is a tufted perennial with stiffly erect, grey-green leafless, ridged stems and brown flowers produced from late spring to mid-summer.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Clump-forming

---

Colour

Flower

Brown in Spring; Brown in Summer

---

How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

General care

Pruning

Tidy by removing dead stems and any spent flowerheads in spring

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

---

Monthly care advice

---

Where to grow

Juncus inflexus (Hard rush) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Aquatic, Bog garden, Waterside

Cultivation

Plant in the shallow margins of pools (up to 8cm of water) or in consistently moist soil in full sun or partial shade. Performs best in heavy, alkaline soil.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy

Soil drainage

Boggy damp conditions, Moisture-retentive, Pond/In water

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Juncus inflexus (Hard rush)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Xiphinema bricolense

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

EU regulated nematode pest with the potential to introduce non-European viruses. EU listing and regulations on soil/growing material associated with planting material help to mitigate the risk of entry.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Juncus inflexus (Hard rush)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Bactra bactrana

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Moth whose larvae feed on sedge and grass stems; found (in 2014) to be damaging glasshouse peppers in Greece. Industry may wish to monitor for its presence.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/