Carex testacea
Orange New Zealand sedge
- Height × spread
- 0.5m – 0.6m × 0.75m – 0.75m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Superb grass for winter interest. It's narrow arching foliage is olive green and as the seasons pass, intensifies to a warm burnt orange. It throws up inconspicuous brown flower spikes in summer which mingle with the foliage. Growing to a height/spread of 50cm x 75cm, it's perfect for filling gaps in the border or planted in groups for a colourful display on a cold winter's day.
- Flower colour
- Brown
- Foliage colour
- Brown, Copper, Gold, Green, Orange, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.5m – 0.6m
- Spread
- 0.75m – 0.75m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Seaside garden, Prairie garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal), Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover
- 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.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Remove dead leaves
When leaves die they can carefully be detached or cut off at their base to improve the overall appearance of the plant. Be careful not to damage the main stems during this process.
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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