How to grow Carex

Often known as sedge, carex is a vast genus of 1500 or more species which can be deciduous or evergreen (though at Hayloft we currently stock evergreen only). Grown for its variegated and colourful foliage, carex is popular among gardeners for its easy, unfussy nature, and is often considered to be one of the ‘workhorses’ of a garden.

Frequently mistaken for a grass, carex is in fact a tufted perennial with grass-like foliage. This distinction is important when it comes to choosing a planting location. Whereas true grasses generally have a need for full sun and well-draining soil (often originating from open, sunny places), carex, as a genus, is altogether far more varied. Most species are happy in damp, partial shade, and some able to tolerate extremes of either wet or dry. This versatility sets them apart from grasses and means there can be a species found for nearly every site in the garden.

Carex can be loosely split into three groups. Asian species tend to be variegated and tolerant of a fair amount of shade, often used to brighten damp, shady spots in the garden. New Zealand species generally come in bronze, reddish, and caramel tones, and can take hotter, drier conditions. North American carex are less commonly used at present, though this seems set to change. They tend to cover ground easily and can be an excellent alternative to the traditional lawn, particularly in shady locations.

Useful tip: a simple way of identifying carex is by its distinctive, triangular stems. Memorising the following rhyme about stem shape is an easy way to tell the difference between three very similar-looking garden plants:

‘Sedges have edges, rushes are round, grasses are hollow down near to the ground’.