Luzula pilosa
hairy woodrush
Overview
Luzula pilosa is a tufted, grass-like evergreen perennial in the rush family, growing 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) tall in loose clumps. The flat, grass-like leaves are 0.2-0.3 inch (4-8 mm) wide and edged with long, soft white hairs that catch the light. In spring it produces an open, branching head of small chestnut-brown flowers, each about 0.1 inch (3-4 mm) long, on spreading stalks that bend back as the seed ripens. The seeds carry a small white oil body that ants collect and disperse. It grows in deciduous woodland, on banks, and in hedge bottoms on moist, acid to neutral soils across most of Europe and into Asia. The plant stays green through winter and spreads slowly into low, even tufts. It tolerates deep shade but flowers more sparsely there. Unlike true grasses, its leaves are unjointed and its flowers have six papery tepals rather than husk-like glumes. It is one of several woodrushes of European woodland and is told apart by its broad, hairy leaves and loose, spreading flower head.
Native Range
Native across most of Europe and into temperate Asia. It grows in moist, shaded woodland and on hedge banks over acid to neutral soils.Suggested Uses
Grown as evergreen ground cover in woodland gardens, shaded borders, and under shrubs. It is used to underplant trees and to edge shaded paths. It pairs with ferns and other shade plants on acid soils.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'
Width/Spread8" - 1'
Bloom Information
Chestnut-brown flowers open from April to May in open, branching heads. The flower stalks spread and then bend downward as the three-seeded capsules ripen. The flowers are wind-pollinated and inconspicuous.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Luzula pilosa grows in moist, humus-rich, acid to neutral soils in partial to full shade. It tolerates a soil pH of about 4.5 to 6.5 and withstands dry shade once established, though it spreads more slowly in dry ground. The evergreen tufts need no feeding and are hardy to USDA zone 4. Old leaves can be combed out by hand in spring. It self-seeds modestly and can be divided in autumn or early spring. Deep shade reduces flowering but does not harm the foliage.Pruning
No pruning is needed. Tattered old leaves can be removed by hand or a light comb-through in early spring. Spent flower heads can be left to shed seed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons