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Similar to Gardening sheet juncus acutus (20)
Gardening sheet juncus acutus
- 1. Spiny (Leopold’s) Rush – Juncus acutus ssp. leopoldii
(JUN-kus uh-CUTE-us lee-oh-POLD- ee-eye)
Family: Juncaceae (Rush Family)
Native to: Coasts and deserts of S. CA, AZ, Baja. Locally native to South Bay; moist saline places,
coastal salt marshes, alkali seeps, alkali sinks at elevations < 1000 ft. Rare in wilds (habitat loss).
Growth characteristics: clumping perennial rush mature height: 2-4 ft. mature width: 3-5 ft.
Clumping or spreading, ever-green with regular water – fall dry with less. Fast growing. Stiff
cylindrical leaves have very sharp tips. Nice mounded shape at maturity – typical for rushes. Slowly
spreads via rhizomes.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms March to May or June. Flowers small, wind-pollinated, typical for the
rushes. Seed pods spherical, dark brown at maturity and quite attractive. Seeds spread by water.
Uses in the garden: Good for moist places in the garden: in rain gardens, dry swales and infiltration
basins, around ponds and pools. Interesting foliage is good choice for the mid-ground, (contrasts
well with background and fore-ground plants). Elegant in a large container. Makes a good barrier
plant! Be sure to place where sharp leaf tips will not be a problem. Soil binder - useful on slopes.
Important basketry plant wherever it grows. Also inhibits growth of algae in ponds, standing water.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native grasses like Pampas grass or non-native pond plants.
Attracts: Good bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade
Soil Very adaptable. Any local soil from sandy to clay. Takes alkali, sandy soils.
Water Best with regular to semi-regular water (Water Zone 2 to 3) even standing water,
but can take less.
Fertilizer None needed except in containers.
Other
Management: Prune off dead leaves in winter. Cut down to several inches to rejuvenate.
Contain to keep from spreading.
Propagation: from seed: easy with fresh seed; surface sow by divisions: easy in winter/spring
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 3, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 24 12/23/14
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