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A large, wild population of taper-tip rush (Juncus acuminatus) beside a pond. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the reddish flower cluster of taper-tip rush (Juncus acuminatus). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the golden brown seed heads of taper-tip rush (Juncus acuminatus). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Stalks and golden brown seed heads of taper-tip rush (Juncus acuminatus). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Taper-tip Rush

$7.95
$7.95

Juncus acuminatus

Taper-tip rush is a lesser-known raingarden superstar that will add year-round interest and structure to your garden. Its soft, vibrant green foliage is evergreen, forming a hardy, low-maintenance groundcover with exceptional habitat benefits in sunny moist to wet areas. The flower cluster is an open array of up to 20 teensy-weensy green to reddish-brown inflorescences; a natural firework display for all the lovely, industrious ants that call a habitat garden home.

  • Plant type/canopy layer: evergreen, perennial, herbaceous plant
  • Size at maturity: 18-36" tall, 12-24" wide
  • Light requirements: full sun
  • Moisture requirements: moist to wet soil
  • Bloom time: June - Aug
  • Growth rate/ease: medium growth rate, easy to grow
  • Wildlife support: this plant attracts and supports beneficial and pest eating insects and is a caterpillar host plant and larval food source for many native moth species; seeds are enjoyed by birds and small mammals
  • Native habitat/range: common in wet meadows, wet prairies, in ditches and along shores and swales, from sea level to 1300m, across much of North and Central America (except a couple of the more dry dry, central states/providences). Portland Plant List - yes.  
  • Special features & uses: evergreen; wildlife favorite; landscape uses include wet meadows and raingardens/bioswales and erosion control

Gardening with Taper-tip Rush: If you’re looking for groundcover that is low-maintenance, will control erosion and provides year-round structure and habitat in your wet meadow or the bottom layer of a raingarden, look no further. These fuss-free plants will tolerate all soil types and pretty much any drainage, including seasonal flooding to standing water, provided it's getting the moisture and sun it needs. 

Photo Credit 1 (lakeside): "File:Starr-110929-9874-Juncus acuminatus-seedhead-Hanaula-Maui (24821854440).jpg" by Forest and Kim Starr is licensed under CC BY 3.0.

Photo Credit 2 (lakeside closeup): "File:Starr-110929-9873-Juncus acuminatus-habit in reservoir-Hanaula-Maui (25024210461).jpg" by Forest and Kim Starr is licensed under CC BY 3.0.

Photo Credits 3 & 4 (seeds): © Joe Potter Butler, some rights reserved (CC-BY) Â