Luzula sylvatica is the largest woodrush, with stems 30–80 centimetres (12–31 in) high. It forms clumps of bright green leaves which are glossy, flat, linear, about 10–30 centimetres (3.9–11.8 in) in length and 1 centimetre (0.39 in) wide; its leaves remain green or at least greenish throughout winter.
Usually growing in partial to full shade, Luzula sylvatica tends to grow on acidic soils in damp habitats. It can be found on stream banks and well-drained, open woodland, as well as in open ground and rock ledges and peaty heath moors. Despite its preference for acidic soils, it can tolerate most soil pH levels.
In milder regions with less snow, spring pruning of grasses is more useful, as the hoarfrost in autumn and a light covering of snow in winter make the grasses in the bed seem all the more attractive – especially where they are accentuated with effect lighting. Pruning of shrubs is carried out in a similar way. Cut back spring shrubs such as Bleeding Heart (Dicentra) as soon as the leaves have turned yellow – the shrub retracts in good time for the summer. Remove the faded inflorescences from blossomed summer shrubs, such as larkspur (Delphinium) at an early stage. Larkspur in particular blossoms again in September. Do not cut back evergreen shrubs, such as wild ginger (Asarum), but thin them out, for example in the case of Bergenia and Christmas rose (Helleborus). This is also the case for garden ferns: cut the summer-green plants back in autumn and thin out the evergreen ones in spring.
