Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’
Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’
(KAIR-ecks oh-shih-MEN-siss)
syn. Carex morrowii ‘Aureovariegata’
Family: Cyperaceae
Common name: variegated Japanese sedge
Zone: 5 – 9
Height: 10 – 16 in (25 – 40 cm)
Spread: 10 – 16 in (25 – 45 cm)
Aspect: partial shade; full shade
Soil: medium; moist; well-draining
Water: moderate; regular
Description: A slow growing, evergreen perennial grass with a dense, clump-forming habit. Narrow leaves with creamy yellow centres edged in green form a ground-hugging, arching fountain shape. Insignificant brown flower spikes on triangular stems appear in summer.
Special Notes: Native to the rocky slopes and dry wooded areas of Honshu Island, Japan where it is commonly known as Oshima kan suge. A low maintenance, fine-textured grass which tolerates moist areas such as beside ponds but needs good drainage. Most references place this in at least partial shade but it does well in full sun with regular water. Foliage can be cut back to a low mound in late winter to rejuvenate the leaves. Spreads by rhizomes. Propagate by division in early spring or autumn. Relatively few pests and disease problems. Deer and rabbit resistant.
In our Zone 7a garden: Several clumps of ‘Evergold’ dot the landscape in my front garden as this grass species does exceptionally well in competition with the roots of my chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum) and silverleaf maple (Acer saacharinum). As for deer resistance, I cannot confirm this fact as our garden is completely fenced against buffet-hunting ungulates. However, there are rabbits in the neighbourhood which can sneak in but they completely shun this grass, preferring to nibble on another grass called, Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’, my tulips and hosta leaf tips instead.
RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993
Posted on April 27, 2013; updated on October 30, 2024
Carex ‘Silver Sceptre’
Carex ‘Silver Sceptre’ Family: Cyperaceae
(KARE-eks mor-OH-ee-eye)
Common name: Japanese sedge
Zone: 5 – 9
Height: 8 – 12 in (20 – 30 cm)
Spread: 12 – 24 in (30 – 60 cm)
Aspect: full sun; partial to full shade
Soil: average; well-draining
Water: moderate
Description: A short, evergreen, perennial grass with a clump-forming, slow-spreading rhizamous habit. White margins brighten the narrow (0.25 inch / 6.4 mm) green leaves. Insignificant greenish-brown flowers on triangular stems appear in mid-spring.
Special Notes: This grass has a preference for partial to full shade, although it will tolerate full sun if watered regularly. Given shade, it is drought tolerant once established. Evergreen in the warmer regions of its range but semi-evergreen in the cooler regions, and may go dormant in Zone 5 and lower.
In spring, cut back to 2 or 3 inches (5-7.6 cm) before fresh new growth appears. Spreads slowly to form dense, arching clumps. Drought tolerant. Deer resistant.
This cool season grass cultivar was presented by Dr. Masato Yokoi, Japanese variegated plant specialist, to the English grass collector, Roger Grounds. Plants Delight Nursery of North Carolina introduced ‘Silver Sceptre’ to North America in 1999. It is often labeled as Carex morrowii ‘Silver Sceptre’ but its connection to this particular species of Carex has not been confirmed.
In our Zone 7a garden: ‘Silver Sceptre’ is evergreen in our garden and looks lovely in the shady side of my front border under the towering chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) and silver leaf maple (Acer saacharinum) trees, providing bright spots of tumbling variegated strap-like leafy clumps.
Posted on August 17, 2012; updated on October 16, 2024
