Green Bulrush vs Junegrass - TreeTime.ca

Green Bulrush vs Junegrass

Koeleria macrantha

Scirpus pallidus

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

ONLY AVAILABLE BY CONTRACT GROW

Junegrass
Green Bulrush

Junegrass is a native, low-growing perennial bunchgrass commonly found in prairies and open woodlands. It is a great choice for prairie restoration and naturalization projects or an attractive accent in ornamental plantings. Spear-shaped seed heads rise above the gray-green lower leaves, maturing to a tan color. Flowering earlier than other upright prairie grasses, it greens up quickly in spring and maintains its appeal well into the fall. It is shorter in stature and rarely forms thick stands, which adds to its understated visual appeal.

Adapted to cooler climates, Junegrass thrives in well-drained, rocky, sandy, or gritty soils and can tolerate drought, cold, and high altitudes. It actively grows in spring and fall when soil temperatures are cool, but in areas that are too hot or humid, it may go dormant by late summer.

As a perennial, it dies back to the crown each winter, it will regrow from the base in the spring. Avoid disturbing the crown during late winter to ensure healthy growth the following season.

Green Bulrush is a common waterside plant, suitable for erosion control and land reclamation. Despite this, Green Bulrush is very drought resistant once established. Bulrushes can cool nearby areas on hot days.

Unlike many of the other waterside plants available, Green Bulrush does not attract wildlife. This makes it a good choice for surrounding residential water sources.

Green Bulrush is topped with spiky balls of florets, green in the spring and fading to brown in the fall.

Junegrass Quick Facts

Green Bulrush Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: wet
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Flowers: green spiked clusters
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium




Other Names: koeleria cristata, prairie junegrass, prairie koelers grass
Other Names: cloaked bulrush, pale bulrush, pale-green bulrush