Plant in dry shade to occasionally-irrigated full sun - quite drought tolerant once established and hardy down to at least 15° F. It is one of the more versatile rushes in that it has adapted to our dry summers and wet winters. It can be used in different garden situations - from a dry garden in shade to 4" deep in a pond.

The species is native along nearly the entire California coast from Oregon to northern San Diego County and on the Channel Islands. The name for the genus comes from the Latin word 'iuncus' which was the ancient word for Rushes and came from the word 'iungere' meaning "to join" and was in reference to the use of Rushes for cordage and tying. The German botanist Ernest Heinrich Friedrich Meyer described this plant in 1823 with the specific epithet coming from the Latin word 'pateo' meaning "to lie open" in reference to the spreading nature of the plant. Another common name for this plant is Wire Grass. We also grow our own selection of this species Juncus patens 'Elk Blue' but thank the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for this selection of the species. 

The information displayed on this page about Juncus patens is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.