Juncus inflexus Blue Arrows

Juncus inflexus 'Blue Arrows' is an interesting variety of rush with a slender habit and dense vegetation with soft shades of blue-grey, making it even more decorative than the classic gardeners' rush. It is a perennial for ponds, banks, and wetlands that also adapts to ordinary, fairly dry soils in summer. It forms tall clumps of stiff stems, with a refined sculptural quality that remains decorative even in winter. Ideal at the edge of water bodies where it adds verticality to aquatic scenes, it also makes a very beautiful plant for contemporary patios and balconies. 

Juncus inflexus is a rhizomatous, stoloniferous perennial plant with persistent stems and semi-evergreen foliage, with a distinctly bristly habit. It belongs to the Juncaceae family. Its origin is found throughout Europe, Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran, and Central Asia. The 'Blue Arrows' rush will reach about 90cm (35in) in height, and will spread through its rhizomes for about 45cm (18in). This variety remains dense at the base. Its stems are bluish-green to blue-grey. The leaves are reduced to basal sheaths of shiny blackish purple. Flowering occurs from June to August. The spike-like flowers are brown in colour.

In nature, rushes grow at the edge of wet ditches in stagnant and shallow water. Juncus inflexus 'Blue Arrows' should be planted at a depth of 20cm (8in), with its stump submerged up to 10cm (4in). Tidy it in autumn by cutting back the foliage to 10cm (4in). 

The 'Blue Arrows' rush can be used in containers in compositions of annual plants, in flower beds of perennials, or at the edge of stagnant water as an evaporative plant. In containers, plant it in the centre, surrounded by smaller plants and creeping plants that will spill over the sides of the pot. It fits perfectly in a minimalist or contemporary decor and works wonders near a pool. This plant thrives particularly well in marshy to wet gardens, including clayey and limestone soils, but it is robust enough to survive drier periods. It can also be planted in submerged containers in ponds. This rush is suitable for coastal use. 

This plant was used before candles or torches to provide light. It was dipped in vegetable or animal fat and allowed to harden.