Carex grayi
Mace Gray's sedge, Morning star sedge
- Height × spread
- 0.7m × 0.5m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Here's a grass that forms a broad erect clump of fresh green leaves and then, its chief feature, green mace-shaped seed heads which last from June to August. In the wild it is found in meadows that are damp in spring but dry out for the summer, so this plant thrives in moist sites but can tolerate drier conditions. The seed heads can be cut for flower arrangements or dried. It stands around 70cm (2ft 6in) high.
- Flower colour
- Green
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.7m
- Spread
- 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer · Planting
Remove offsets to create new plants
Offsets are small plants or shoots that develop around the parent plant. They should have developed a root system of their own before they are detached. They can be planted directly, or grown in pots if so small they could be 'lost' in the garden.
Offsets may be used to replace an aged parent plant, to extend or establish a colony, or can be given away or sold.
Found in
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