The rush masters the permanent and lush greening of ponds, streams, wet meadows and water worlds with flying colors. The robust freshwater grasses are mostly lime-tolerant, clean the water and thrive even in compacted, waterlogged soil. The following answers to frequently asked questions provide everything you need to know about cultivating the hardy perennials.
Plant rushes properly
Give as part of the planting of rushes their propensity to proliferate your attention. In order to keep the spread under control, place the young plants together with a sturdy plant basket in the moist, wet soil in autumn. If the root ball is at a depth of 1-5 cm, weigh down the substrate with pebbles so that it is not washed away.
care tips
Are rushes with the greening of pond and stream entrusted to a water depth of 5 cm, watering and Fertilize. The only maintenance measure is pruning in early spring if the perennial has been affected by a hard winter. Otherwise, comb the withered leaves with the rake out of. If the ornamental grass thrives in a pot on the balcony or windowsill, the care program revolves around these points:
- Keep the substrate continuously moist
- Fertilize with liquid every 4-6 weeks from April to September
- Fertilize evergreen species and varieties every 8 weeks in winter
- Shape cutting is possible at any time if required
If the rhizomes threaten to burst the pot after 1-2 years, repot the rushes in the spring into a nutrient-rich substrate with the best water storage capacity.
Which location is suitable?
A combination of light and soil conditions defines the ideal site conditions for rushes. We have put together a brief overview of all the important criteria for you here:
- Sunny to partially shaded position
- Moist to wet, nutrient-rich soil
- Loamy-sandy, boggy to swampy soil
- Maximum water depth 5 cm
With a few exceptions, rushes prefer a neutral to alkaline pH. If an acidic soil value dominates at the chosen location, we recommend planting tangled rushes (Juncus conglomeratus) or dwarf rushes (Juncus ensifolius).
What soil does the plant need?
The condition of the soil essentially determines the successful course of cultivation of rushes. Choose a location with boggy to swampy soil, preferably loamy-sandy, clayey and rich in nutrients. Hardy species, such as the blue bulrush, are undeterred even by compacted soil. A light to medium lime content is not a problem for the sweet grass. In damp, wet soil, the perennial thrives in a water depth of up to 5 cm.
Cut rushes properly
Rushes are consistently resistant, so that a pruning is possible at any time. In fact, this measure is only necessary after a very hard winter, when the frost caused the stalks to die off. In this case, cut the ornamental grass close to the ground in spring - in good time before fresh sprouting. In other years, simply comb through the clumps with a rake to restore the well-groomed appearance. To prevent self-seeding of the vigorous grasses, cut off the inconspicuous flowers in good time before seed formation.
watering rushes
Allocate your rushes a place in wet meadows or pots, the soil must not dry out at any time. In the best case, the surface of the earth only dries a little before you water the grass. In this case, the excess irrigation water may remain in the saucer, as waterlogging is desired.
Fertilize rushes properly
If the general conditions at the site are right, there is no need for additional nutrient supply outdoors. In a bucket on the balcony or in a pot on the windowsill, fertilize rushes with a liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks from April to September. Evergreen species and varieties receive a diluted dose of fertilizer every 8 weeks between October and March.
hibernate
Rushes are completely frost-resistant and bravely stand up to the freezing cold. In autumn, therefore, no precautions are to be taken for hibernation. The only exception are types and varieties in tubs with a diameter of less than 30 cm. Inside, high pressure from frozen water could crush the rhizomes. As a precaution, place these plants in frost-free, bright winter quarters.
multiply rushes
The propagation of rushes succeeds without much effort. For this purpose, it is not necessary to get the entire plant out of the ground. In the fall or spring you sting with the spade Pieces of rhizome that have at least 3-4 leaves. At the new location, place these segments in moist to wet, nutrient-rich soil. It is important to note that the root pieces are planted as deep as possible in the ground as before.
rushes in the pot
The striking corkscrew rush has made a name for itself as a decorative and easy-care potted plant. With its evergreen, twisting stalks, it is impressive both on the balcony and on the windowsill. Any commercially available substrate is suitable potting soil based on compost with little or no peat content. Keep the soil constantly moist, allowing the surface to dry briefly. From April to September, apply a diluted concentration of liquid fertilizer unless the Juncus has previously been repotted in pre-fertilized substrate. Shoots that are too long can be shortened at any time. In spring, simply comb or pluck withered leaves from the eyrie.
Is rush poisonous?
As part of the large plant family of sweet grasses, the non-toxic rushes do not pose any health risk to humans or animals. The robust ornamental grasses can therefore be planted in the family garden without hesitation.
trivia
Like no other type of grass, rushes were the inspiration for a number of idioms. A general fact is described as a truism, with a view to the worldwide distribution of the plant. If you're looking for the knot in the bulrush, you'll suspect problems wherever there aren't any. This idiom is derived from the round, knotless rush stalks. The motto 'Go into the rushes' is still popular today. This expresses when something is lost or fails. in the 19th had century Hunter this saying on the lips when wild ducks, fleeing from the hunting dogs, saved themselves in the rushes standing in the water and could no longer be snatched as prey.
Beautiful varieties
- Spiralis: Decorative rush with corkscrew-like leaves and yellow brush flowers in summer; 20-60cm
- Blue Arrows: Shows off with blue-green, rounded, taut leaves and thrives even in compacted soil; 60 cm
- Starhead: Pretty dwarf rush with flat leaves and globose, brown flowers from June to August; sensitive to lime; 25 cm
- Javelin: Giant bulrush for large bodies of water, whose blue-green culms reach up to 180 cm into the sky; beautiful solitaire
- Sword-Leaf Bulrush: Premium variety with narrow, upright leaves and bushy flowers from June; 15-30cm
