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
Carex elata ‘Aurea’
Carex elata ‘Aurea’
(KARE-eks ee-LAY-tah)
syn. Carex stricta ‘Aurea’
Family: Cyperaceae
Common name: Bowles’ golden sedge
Zone: 5 – 9
Height: 18-24 in (45-60cm)
Spread: 24-36 in (60-90cm)
Aspect: full sun; partial to full shade
Soil: fertile; moist
Water: regular
Description: A slow growing, evergreen perennial grass with a tuft-forming habit. Narrow, bright yellow leaves with a thin edging of dark green form a pleasing arching fountain shape. Less sun results in a more lime green leaf colour. Small black flower spikes appear on erect stems in early summer.
Special Notes: This cultivar was discovered by E. A. Bowles growing wild in a garden in Norfolk, England. A low maintenance grass which also grows well in containers. Preference is for moister areas such as beside ponds or in boggy areas. Relatively few pests and disease problems. Deer resistant. Will self seed but sporadically. In late winter of early spring, cut leaf blades back to 8 – 12 inches (20 – 30 cm) in height, preferably just as new green growth starts to appear. DO NOT cut tips of new growth at the risk of stopping their growth. Propagate by division in early spring or autumn.
RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993; Great Plant Pick 2002
Posted on March 12, 2013; updated on October 9, 2024
Arrhenatherum elatius var. bulbosum ‘Variegatum’
Arrhenatherum elatius var. bulbosum ‘Variegatum’
(ah-ren-AH-the-rum ay-LAH-tee-us var. bul-BOW-sum)
Family: Poaceae
Common name: variegated bulbous oat grass; variegated false oat grass
Zone: 4 – 8
Height: 12-15 in (30-35 cm)
Spread: 18-24 in (45-60 cm)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: average; well-draining
Water: moderate
Description: An herbaceous perennial grass with a tuft-forming habit. Hairless, slender, grey-green leaves are edged in creamy white. Pale green spikelets appear in summer, changing to straw brown colour in autumn.
Special Notes: Native to Europe. This grass increases in size with the formation of chains of yellow bulb-like swellings developing at the base of the stems. Growth is relatively slow and easy to control, however. Remove old foliage in late winter before new leaves emerge. Generally, pest- and disease-free. Deer and rabbit resistant. Propagate by division in early spring or autumn.
Posted on April 18, 2013; updated on August 7, 2024
Chasmanthium latifolium
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Chasmanthium latifolium Family: Poaceae |
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Posted on November 8, 2023 |
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