Juncus patens, Grey Rush

With its upright growth habit and distinctive flowering stems, Common or Grey Rush is a grass-like evergreen perennial that adds visual interest to the garden. Grey Rush is native to wet, marshy areas of California. The tall, wire-like stems are gray-green in color and grow in clumps that can slowly spread over time. It has small golden flower clusters that bloom along the stems, rather than at the tips. After flowering, the plant develops bunches of spherical red fruits.

While normally found in areas that are moist year-round, it is a tough plant that can also grow in places that are seasonally dry. In the garden, it can be planted near water features but it also does well in dry areas with minimal summer irrigation. Prefers sun but accepts moderate shade. The robust root system provides excellent soil stabilization. Deer resistant.