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| Category: Grass-like |
| Family: Juncaceae (Rushes) |
| Origin: California (U.S.A.) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Brown |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Fall |
| Height: 1-2 feet |
| Width: 1-2 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: <15° F |
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Juncus patens (California Gray Rush) - An upright evergreen grass-like plant that forms dense clumps from short rhizomes with thin rounded gray-green leafless stems that grow upright to a height of about 18 to 24 inches with inconspicuous golden-brown flower clusters that emerge from below the leaf tips from spring to fall. 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. Our thanks to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for this plant.
This information about Juncus patens displayed is based on research conducted in our library and from reliable online resources. We will also note observations that we have made about it as it grows in the gardens in our nursery and those elsewhere, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others, and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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