Description of Juncus ensifolius (Flying Hedgehogs)

Juncus ensifolius is swordleaf rush, and 'Flying Hedgehogs' is a named form sold for its quirky flower heads. It’s a neat rush for wet soil and pond margins when you want something tougher than ornamental grasses.

Appearance

It forms upright, narrow green leaves in clumps, typically 30 to 60cm tall. In summer, side shoots carry tight clusters of brownish flower heads that give the ‘hedgehog’ look. The plant stays fairly tidy and does not flop.

Care Guide

It likes wet feet and it copes well with baskets on a shelf or saturated bog soil.

• Sun: Full sun to part shade.
• Soil: Wet soil or aquatic compost in a basket.
• Water: Boggy ground to shallow water.
• Feeding: Usually not needed, but a spring top-up helps in baskets.
• Tidy up: Cut back brown stems in late winter.

If clumps get dense, split them in spring. Replant firm sections and keep them wet.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This rush suits bog gardens as a mid-height structural plant. Use it to add upright lines among broad leaves like hostas and butterbur, or to frame the edges of a liner bog.

It also works well in smaller ponds because it stays narrow and does not take up much horizontal space.

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