Botanical Name: Juncus inflexus ‘Blue Arrow’

Common Name: Blue Arrow Rush, ColorGrass® Blue Arrow

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in USDA Zones 5–9

Size: 30–36" Tall × 12–18" Spread

Growth Habit: Upright, Clump-Forming, Architectural Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Soil: Moist to Wet Soils; Adapts to Average Garden Soils Once Established

Water Needs: Moderate to High; Tolerates Standing Water and Drought Once Established

Bloom Season: Grown for Foliage

Fertilizer: Minimal; Light Feeding in Containers

Features: Steel-Blue Foliage, Vertical Texture, Heat Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Excellent Moisture Tolerance

Uses: Rain Gardens, Pond Edges, Containers, Accent Plantings, Modern Landscapes

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

More About Juncus ‘ColorGrass® Blue Arrow’

Juncus ‘ColorGrass® Blue Arrow’ is prized for its bold, vertical form and distinctive steel-blue foliage that adds instant structure and contrast to the landscape. Its stiff, upright stems create a strong architectural presence, making it an excellent focal point in modern gardens, containers, and mixed plantings where clean lines matter. Unlike traditional grasses, its color remains consistent throughout the growing season, holding its blue tone even in heat and humidity.

This variety thrives in consistently moist to wet soils and performs exceptionally well in rain gardens, along pond edges, and in low-lying areas where other ornamentals struggle. Once established, it also shows surprising drought tolerance in well-prepared soils, making it far more adaptable than it appears. The clump-forming habit stays tight and vertical without flopping or spreading, maintaining a refined, intentional look with minimal maintenance.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, Juncus ‘ColorGrass® Blue Arrow’ stood out for its durability and season-long structure. Plants remained upright and symmetrical even through summer heat and heavy rain, with no lodging or collapse. The foliage color stayed clean and blue without fading, scorching, or browning, even in full sun conditions.

We especially like it for gardeners looking to add strong texture and movement without relying on flowers. ‘Blue Arrow’ pairs beautifully with flowering perennials, bold foliage plants, and contemporary designs, offering year-round visual interest and excellent performance in challenging moisture conditions with very little upkeep.

Blue Arrow vs. Other Ornamental Grass

Juncus ‘Blue Arrow’ is a true rush, prized in your collection for its tight, upright form and bold vertical structure, making it one of the cleanest architectural grasses you offer. Compared to Juncus ‘Blue Dart’ and Juncus ‘Twister’, Blue Arrow is more rigid and columnar, lacking the curl or movement but gaining a sharper, more modern look. It contrasts strongly with Prince Tut™, which has a softer, fountain-like silhouette, and with Pink Muhly Grass, which is far airier and seasonal in appearance. Where Pennisetum ‘Fireworks’ brings motion and color, Blue Arrow brings discipline and structure.

In mixed plantings, Blue Arrow behaves very differently from Rubrum and Fireworks Pennisetum, which both spread outward and visually soften edges. Blue Arrow also differs from Carex ‘Red Rooster’, offering straighter lines and less foliage texture variation. Compared to Acorus ‘Ogon’, it tolerates drier conditions better and looks more refined in contemporary containers. This makes Blue Arrow your best choice for modern designs, narrow spaces, and structured container arrangements.