Susan is also blogging at GardenRant.Carex / Sedge
What plant could be more useful in the garden than one that's evergreen and can handle deep, deep shade just fine? And once established, it's super-drought-tolerant. Therefore be it resolved, I hereby nominate Carex as a Hero of Sustainable Gardening (and Climate Change)!
Details
- Foliage plant with neglible blooms.
- Evergreen — yes! Foliage comes in green, variegated green and white, gold, or bronze.
Hardiness varies across the 2,000 species in this group, from Zone 5 southward.- Examples in the photos above and below are the plain carex, which grows to about 2 feet tall. The photo on the rightis of the selection 'Ice Dance,' which is 4-6 inches tall and variegated green and white. ('Ice Dance' photo credit: Plant Delights Nursery)
Care
- None that mine have ever needed. But....
- They HATE being moved, so do it only when absolutely necessary, in spring or fall, and water it regularly til it's established, especially if it's in sun. Carex may LOOK as tough as liriope, but its little roots just can't be yanked around the garden the way liriope's roots can.
Good Information in Print
- Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses
by Darke - The Well Tended Perennial Garden
by Tracy DiSabato-Aust is the best-selling book on how to make your perennials healthier and better-looking. - Encyclopedia of Perennials
by Graham Rice is exhaustive and an outstanding general resource on the subject. - The Complete Flower Gardener
by Cutlerand Ellis is another source I consult regularly.