Snowy wood-rush

Snowy wood-rush: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Loose clump 20–30 cm tall, up to 50 cm with the flower stems. About 30 cm wide; spreads slowly.

Foliage

Narrow, linear and dark green, edged with long white hairs. Evergreen.

Flowers

Dense clusters of small, pure white flowers on slender stems, in June and July.

Fruit

Small capsules with three seeds each; the faded clusters turn straw-coloured.

Family

Rush family (Juncaceae): a grass-like plant, not a true grass.

Flowering: June–July · Plants: March–May and September–October · Pruning: March

Why grow it?

• Pure white flower clusters in shade, where few other grass-like plants flower.
• Evergreen: the foliage keeps the border clothed in winter too.
• A pretty small cut flower; the clusters also last well when dried.
• Copes with partial and full shade, even under trees if the soil is not too dry.
• Little work and rarely troubled by pests or diseases.

Snowy wood-rush: where does it grow best?

• Partial or full shade; in full sun the leaves scorch and the plant dries out.
• Sand, loam or clay, acid to chalky: it is not fussy as long as the soil is rich in humus.
• Normally moist soil: not dried out and certainly not waterlogged.
• Allow 25–30 cm between plants; lovely in groups or as an edging along a shady path.

Light

Partial shade and shade

Soil type

Sand, loam or clay

Acidity

Not fussy

Moisture

Normal

Size

0.5 m tall, 0.3 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -25 °C)

Goes well with

• Ferns: Finely divided fronds next to the narrow, hairy leaves, in the same shade.
• Hosta: Large leaves as a contrast with the fine clumps.
• Barrenwort: Another tough, often evergreen plant for shade under trees.
• Siberian bugloss: Sky-blue flowers in spring, before the white clusters open.
• Sweet woodruff: A fresh green carpet with small, white starry flowers in shade.

Snowy wood-rush: when and how to plant it?

Plant in March–May and September–October.

1. Plant from March to May or in September–October, when the soil is not frozen or waterlogged.
2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and mix in some leaf mould.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as in the pot and firm the soil well.
4. Plant in groups of three to five, 25–30 cm apart.
5. Water generously straight away and keep the soil moist for the first few weeks.
6. A layer of leaf mould around the plants keeps the soil cool and moist.

Care

Watering

In dry spells during the first year. After that only in long dry periods, especially under trees.

Feeding

Not needed; a little leaf mould in spring is enough.

Tidying

In March comb brown, withered leaves out of the clump with your fingers.

Faded flowers

Cut the faded stems off at the base after flowering, or leave them until spring.

Dividing

Every four to five years, when the centre of the clump becomes bare.

Tip: Plant it in small groups along a shady path: the white clusters light up the shade. In March comb out the old leaves rather than cutting the whole clump back.

Snowy wood-rush: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March.

When: Hardly any pruning is needed. In March tidy away the old brown leaves, before the new ones grow.

How:

• Comb brown, withered leaves out with your fingers or a small rake.
• Cut old flower stems off short at the base.
• If the clump looks very tatty after a hard winter, you can shorten the old leaves to 10 cm; new ones soon grow back.
• Cut flowers for a posy when the clusters have just opened.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Division

In March–April or in September: lift rooted pieces from the clump and replant them straight away. Easy and reliable.

Seed

Sow ripe seed in summer or autumn in a tray outdoors. In the garden it sometimes self-seeds.

Snowy wood-rush: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −25 °C.

• Hardy to about −25 °C: no protection is needed in Belgium.
• The leaves stay green all winter; after hard frost the tips may turn brown.
• In a pot: stand the pot in a sheltered spot and keep the compost slightly moist, but not wet.

Diseases and pests

• Brown leaf tips: Caused by drought or too much sun. Water in dry spells and move it to a shadier spot if needed.
• Root rot: In waterlogged soil or a pot without drainage the roots rot in winter. Make sure drainage is good.
• Tatty leaves after winter: Normal for an evergreen plant. Comb out the dead leaves in March; new ones soon grow back.
• Few flowers: In deep, dry shade under trees it flowers less. A little more light and some compost help.

Through the year

• January: Rest. The green leaves brighten the winter garden.
• March: Comb out dead leaves. Plant or divide.
• April: Plant. Add leaf mould.
• May: Plant. The flower stems appear.
• June: Flowering. Cut flowers for a small posy.
• July: Flowering. Water in dry spells.
• August: Cut off faded stems or leave them.
• September: Plant or divide.
• October: Plant. Leaf mould around the plants.
• December: Rest. The leaves stay green.

Did you know?

• Despite its look it is not a grass: wood-rushes belong to the rush family, like soft rush.
• Nivea means snow-white in Latin and refers to the colour of the flowers.
• Native relatives grow in our woods and grasslands, such as field wood-rush and hairy wood-rush.