Wood Rush

Luzula

Luzula luzuloides
A fast spreading to invasive, dense, rhizomatous groundcover grass, reaching a maximum height of 32 inches.
The leaf blades are up to 22 inches in length.
The creamy-white flowers are borne on clusters from early to mid summer.
They are followed by attractive seed heads.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial to full shade on just about any soil. It is dry shade tolerant. It is rarely bothered by insect pests or disease.

Luzula nivea 'Ruby Stiletto'
A vigorous, compact, clumping, semi-evegreen to evergreen, perennial grass, reaching a maximum size of 1 x 2 feet. The species is native to subalpine forests in the mountains of central Europe form northern France; south to central Italy and Yugoslavia.
The fine-textured grayish leaves, up to 12 inches long, are tipped and edged red, with the color intensifying during winter into early spring.
The flowers are borne late spring into early summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial shade on moist, humus-rich, well drained soil. It is rarely bothered by insect pests or disease.

Luzula sylvatica ( Greater Wood Rush )
A beaufiful, dense, strongly rhizomatous, semi-evergreen perennial grass, reaching a maximum size of 3 x 3.5 feet, that is a widespread native to woodlands from Europe to the Caucasus & Turkey.
Greater Wood Rush makes a great woodland groundcover for colder climates. The foliage is luxuriant mid-green. The leaf blades are up to 0.5 inches wide.
The flower stems are up to 3 feet high.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial to full shade on moist, humus-rich soil. It is drought and tree root tolerant. Greater Wood Rush is rarely bothered by insect pests or disease.

* photo taken on Aug 1 2013 in Stratford, Ontario

'Aurea'
Glossy yellow foliage; otherwise identical to species.

'Variegata' ( Banded Greater Wood Rush )
Foliage variegated with golden-yellow margins.