Luzula nivea

Description

Luzula nivea – snowy woodrush

Botanical name: Luzula nivea
Common names: Snowy woodrush
Family: Juncaceae (rush family)
Plant type: Evergreen woodrush
Habit: Clump-forming, spreading
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 45–60cm tall in flower × 45cm spread
Foliage: Grassy green leaves edged with fine white hairs, forming neat clumps; evergreen
Flowers: Clusters of small flowers on airy stems in spring to early summer
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Partial to full shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained, humus-rich; tolerates dry shade once established; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); USDA zones 4–8
Exposure: Sheltered
Native range: Species native to Europe
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Luzula nivea, snowy woodrush, forms neat clumps of grassy green leaves edged with white hairs, topped in early summer by clusters of shining white flowers. Excellent for shade, woodland and dry-shade groundcover.

GardenAdvice notes

A clump-forming evergreen woodrush, snowy woodrush is grown both for its neat green foliage, edged with fine white hairs, and for its clusters of small, shining white flowers in early summer — unusually showy for a woodrush. Tough and shade-tolerant, it is excellent groundcover for woodland and shady borders, even in dry shade.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial to full shade. Woodrushes are among the best plants for shade, including the dry shade under trees once established. Work in leaf mould, and space about 40cm apart to knit into groundcover.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Comb out or trim off dead and tatty foliage in spring to freshen the clump. It spreads gently to form groundcover; lift and divide congested patches in spring to increase it or keep it in bounds. Water while establishing, after which it tolerates drier shade.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide clumps in spring.
• Seed: Sow seed in spring, though named forms are best from division.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free and tough. Little troubled by pests or disease, and one of the most reliable plants for difficult shady spots.

Uses in the garden

Superb for woodland and shady borders, as groundcover under trees and shrubs, on shady banks and in dry-shade spots, where its white-edged foliage and white flowers brighten the gloom.

Wildlife value

The evergreen tufts provide year-round ground-level cover and shelter for insects and small creatures, and woodrushes support wildlife in woodland and shady plantings.

Toxicity & safety

Woodrush is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

Snowy woodrush is one of the prettier woodrushes thanks to its genuinely showy white flowers in early summer, so it’s a good choice where you want a little more than plain green groundcover in shade. It’s tough enough for dry shade under trees once established — just keep it watered until it settles in.

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