Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Grass-like plant
Soft rush: when and how to prune
Juncus effusus
Soft rush is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–August |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Soft rush: when to prune it?
In March, before the new stems appear.
What else to prune in those months? March
Soft rush: how to prune it?
- Cut the clump back to 5–10 cm above the ground, or just pull out the dead stems.
- Leave the clumps standing all winter: insects and spiders overwinter in them.
- Use sharp secateurs or shears: the tough stems bend rather than snap.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Nearby: related pruning guides
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.