Common blue rush is a clumping perennial rush native to western North America that grows 2-3 feet tall and wide. It has attractive grayish-blue-green foliage and spreads through branched rhizomes. Small brown flowers bloom from February to October. Blue rush is useful in wet areas and tolerates seasonal flooding, providing cover for birds. It can be contained, sheared periodically, or have dead foliage selectively removed. Propagation is by seed or division.

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
© Project SOUND

2. Juncus patens
California rush

6. In rain garden, Mother Nature’s Backyard: Gardena CA 2013

7. Seed mass after rain – jelly-like mucilage keeps seeds moist for germination