Schoenoplectus and Juncus
Rushes
| Schoenoplectus are some of the most useful frost-hardy rushes for the home garden pond. They are still sometimes sold under the name Scirpus, especially native species like Schoenoplectus lacustris. The true Bulrush, this is one of the few wild species that are worthy of garden cultivation. It is a handsome rush, up to 1m tall, with fine dark green, cylindrical, needle-like stems atop which small chocolate-brown tasselled flower heads are produced during summer. Amongst the most popular rushes is Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani ‘Zebrinus’, the Zebra Rush or Porcupine Quill. A marginal aquatic growing up to 75cm tall with striking green and white horizontally barred stems. It has a slightly taller equally beautiful and somewhat more elegant cousin, S.'Albescens', a sulphur-cream coloured cultivar marked with narrow vertical stripes.
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 Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani
'Albescens'
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 Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani
'Zebrinus'
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Both are exceptional useful for creating an architectural effect around the margins of a pond, and are unlikely to become a nuisance, as do some of the Juncus or Soft Rushes. These can be pleasing to the eye, but they will often produce and scatter copious amounts of free-germinating seeds and produce a localised weed problem. Apart from in the true wildlife pond where everything is allowed free-rein and to become intermingled, only the twisted stemmed Juncus effusus ‘Spiralis’ can be recommended. This is a small green rush, up to 30cm tall, with thin cylindrical stems that curl and twist like a corkscrew. Indeed it is popularly known as the Corkscrew Rush, a common novelty plant for the waterside.
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The rushes enjoy life in the shallow margins of the pond in a sunny spot. They should be planted during spring and summer in either a heavy loam soil or else aquatic planting compost. Top-dress the compost with fine washed gravel to prevent the compost from dispersing into the water. Remove faded foliage as autumn approaches and feed during summer using an aquatic plant fertilizer. Propagation is by division in the spring.
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 Juncus effusus 'Spiralis'
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