Turf

will spread aggressively by branched, creeping rhizomes. Once established, it can be extremelydifficult to remove by digging because its rhizomes spread wide and deep, and any small sectionof rhizome left behind can sprout a new plant. Consider using soil barriers to restrict growth. Inwater gardens or tub gardens, plant in pots at water bottom to contain growth (both height andspread).Noteworthy Characteristics:Scouring rush (also commonly called rough horsetail) is a non-flowering, rush-like, rhizomatous,evergreen perennial which typically grows 3-5’ tall and is native to large portions of Eurasia,Canada and the U.S., including Missouri. It typically occurs in wet woods, moist hillsides andperipheries of water bodies (lakes, rivers, ponds). This species features rigid, rough, hollow,vertically-ridged, jointed-and-segmented, bamboo-like, dark green stems (to 1/2” diameter at thebase) which rise up from the plant rhizomes. Each stem node (joint) is effectively marked by awhorl of tiny, stem-clasping, scale-like leaves which are fused into an ash-gray sheath (1/4”long) ending in a fringe of teeth. Teeth are usually shed during the growing season. Each sheathis set off and accentuated, both above and below, by thin, stem-ringing, black bands.Photosynthesis is basically carried on by the stems of this plant. Vegetative and fertile stems arealike in this species, with some vegetative stems bearing, at the stem tips, pine cone-like fruitingheads (to 1” long) which contain numerous spores. The evergreen stems are particularlynoticeable in winter and can provide significant interest to the landscape. Stems have a highsilica content and were used by early Americans for polishing pots and pans, hence the commonname of scouring rush. Equisetum is not a rush however. Nor is it a fern. Equisetum is the singlesurviving genus of a class of primitive vascular plants that dates back to the mid-Devonianperiod (350 + million years ago). Today, the equisetums are categorized as fern allies in largepart because they, like the ferns, are non-flowering, seedless plants which reproduce by spores.Problems:No serious insect or disease problems. Very aggressive spreader.Uses:Water gardens. Japanese gardens. Bog gardens. Stream or pond peripheries. Good plant forcovering a wet low spot where nothing else will grow. Interesting plant for large patiocontainers. Provides strong vertical accent to any planting.Back to plant list- 6 -