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Greater Wood Rush

Luzula maxima

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Greater Wood Rush (Luzula maxima) at Roger's Gardens

Greater Wood Rush

Greater Wood Rush

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Plant Height:  15 inches

Flower Height:  20 inches

Spacing:  12 inches

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  4a

Description:

A lush variety that is a compact mound of slender grassy green foliage in summer, then turning brown in cold climates in winter; great for naturalizing woodland areas or in containers for its arching foliage

Ornamental Features

Greater Wood Rush is primarily valued in the garden for its cascading habit of growth. It features airy clusters of creamy white flowers rising above the foliage from late spring to mid summer. Its grassy leaves are green in color. The foliage often turns brown in fall.

Landscape Attributes

Greater Wood Rush is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with a shapely form and gracefully arching foliage. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Greater Wood Rush is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Greater Wood Rush will grow to be about 15 inches tall at maturity extending to 20 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 15 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 12 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant performs well in both full sun and full shade. It is an amazingly adaptable plant, tolerating both dry conditions and even some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

Greater Wood Rush is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It can be used either as 'filler' or as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, depending on the height and form of the other plants used in the container planting. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight Soil pH Preference
Characteristics
Massing  Edging  Garden  Naturalizing  Container 
Applications
Flowers  Texture  Plant Form 
Ornamental Features