Big Twister Rush

If you like the modern look of ornamental grasses, you might already know that they need full sun and well-drained to dry soil. So what to do if you have wet spots, and the ground is moist to wet? The answer – grow rushes. These water-loving relatives of grasses look grass-like, but tolerate shade and enjoy wet soils. An outstanding and striking variety to grow is the Big Twister Rush. It looks like a hurricane has struck, spiraling every stem into a corkscrew – a 2-foot tall cluster of stems forming a upside-down cone of striking beauty and drama. The stiff stems are green, and grow in a dense cluster, flaring out in all directions, twisting and curling like Medusa’s hair. It’s great beside a pond or stream, or planted in ordinary soil in partial shade, and looks terrific in an pot too, where you can really get into its exotic beauty. A great addition to a shade garden, and perfect for minimalist planting, and anywhere where the unusual and unique is the right choice.

• Striking clump of green, corkscrew stems, evergreen in most zones
• Up to 2 feet tall and wide
• Perfect for wet soil beside a pond, or in ordinary garden conditions
• Grows well in partial shade
• A great alternative to ornamental grasses, that need sun and drier soils

Hardy even in zone 4, the Big Twister Rush needs no special attention at all. Just plant it in ordinary soil, or one that is wet, or even covered in an inch or two of water. It will grow in full sun, partial sun and even in light full shade. Water plants in pots abundantly, or grow standing in a saucer of water. It isn’t eaten by deer and seems to have no pests or diseases. In spring cut out dead, old or damaged stems – new growth will soon fill it in for another year of beauty.