JUNCUS. Rush. Worldwide, temperate regions. A large group of mostly temperate climate plants, best known for some of the larger aquatic species. The perennials among them often form dense clumps or thickets, with cylindrical stems arching to give a fountainlike effect. Leaves are reduced to inconspicuous scales or sheaths in many species. Odd clusters of chaffy flowers are borne at the shoot tips. The following thrive in sun or shade near the coast, light shade inland, in a wide range of soils with constant moisture. Their hardiness varies as shown.

  ‘Carman’s Japanese’. This is John Greenlee’s name for an unidentified rush, much resembling the typical form of J. effusus, grown by Ed Carman. It is dense and prolific, with shiny, deep green stems growing about 2’ tall. Set against these, the bronze flower heads are actually rather ornamental. Probably 0-10^oF.

effusus ‘Spiralis’. Corkscrew rush. We really didn’t know how the gardening public would respond to this bit of vegetable deviance when it was first offered. Evidently there are plenty of gardeners with either a good sense of humor or a yen for the bizarre, because it was an instant hit. It forms tight clumps of dark green stems, about the thickness of baling wire. They are 1-2’ long overall, but irregularly twisted in a corkscrew pattern. Puffs of tiny, chaffy flowers near the stem-tips are barely noticeable. A novel plant for poolside and other moist spots. A similar, recent arrival on the horticultural scene is ‘Unicorn’.This is a more robust plant in all respects, growing as much as 3’ high, with thicker stems which follow the same corkscrew path. People with postage-stamp gardens will probably find it frightening. 0^oF. or less.

inflexus ‘Afro’. Hard rush. Take the corkscrew rush just described, give it somewhat thicker, chalky grey-green stems, and you will have a good image of ‘Afro’. It appears thus far to be of about the same size as ‘Spiralis’ (either one would be considerably taller if one could straighten out the many coils). Also hardy to 0^oF. or less.

pallidus. Australia. A large ornamental rush, recently received from Gary Hammer. It forms compact clumps with dark green, wandlike stems rising 6’ or more. Small clusters of tan, chaffy flowers are borne near the tips in summer. A dramatic and unusual plant for poolsides, shade gardens and tubs. Evidently hardy to 20^oF or less; how much less remains to be tested.

patens. California and Oregon. A dense fountain of slender, bluish green stems, about 2’ tall in our selection. The flowers are mostly brown and inconspicuous. 15^oF or less in this case.