Common blue rush is a clumping perennial rush native to western coastal areas from Washington to Baja California. It grows 2-3 feet tall and wide, with upright stems and attractive grayish blue-green foliage. It blooms from February to October with small clusters of dark brown flowers. Common blue rush is useful in wet or seasonally wet areas and tolerates flooding, making it a good choice around ponds, streams, or in planters and containers. It provides cover and seeds for birds.

1. Common (Blue) Rush – Juncus patens (JUN-kus PAT (or PATE)-ens )
Family: Juncaceae (Rush Family)
Native to: Western coast from WA to Baja CA; marshy areas, seeps, springs, openings in willow
groves with Rosa californica, Artemisia douglasiana, Mimulus spp., Symphoricarpos spp.
Growth characteristics: clumping perennial rush mature height: 2-3 ft. mature width: 2-3 ft.
Dense, clumping perennial rush with upright stems. Foliage attractive grayish blue-green. Leaves
have distinctive groove. Plant becomes dormant in summer with no water. Spreads by stout,
branched rhizomes.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms Feb-Oct. Small clusters of dark brown flowers on flowering stalks.
Uses in the garden: Most useful in wet/seasonally wet areas. Good around ponds, dry streams & as
an accent plant. Can even be planted in submerged pots in a shallow pond. Attractive foliage color
and texture – look ‘bog like’ even in dry garden. Good in planters & containers. Easy & dependable
color. Good for barrier to prevent foot travel (sharp-tipped leaves). Would make nice wet ‘meadow’
with it’s natural neighbors (above). Used by Native Californians for basketry. Several cultivars:
‘Carmen’s Gray’ – compact, gray-blue; ‘Occidental Blue’ – blue-green, 8-12 inches, fine in ponds ;
‘Elk Blue’ – fine-texture, blue-gray.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native rushes, water-loving non-native grasses.
Attracts: Good bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade (part-shade in hot, sunny gardens)
Soil Any local
Water Tolerates seasonal flooding; OK with summer water to little/no summer water.
Regular watering increases growth.
Fertilizer None needed; organic mulch fine.
Other
Management: Spreading, so may need to contain. Can be sheared to the ground periodically (as
needed; every few years) to maintain, or the dead leaves/stalks can be selectively removed.
Propagation: from seed: easy in spring; 30+ day germination time by divisions: easy
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 8, 9, 11-13, 19-21, 24, 31, 32, 46 12/21/14
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