Plant Name: Carex species: There are more than 1,500 species of these perennials.
Common name: Sedges
Plant Type: Deciduous or Evergreen Perennials
Plant Height: 12” – 4’
Plant Width: 10” – 12”
Bloom Time: Varies
Flower Color: Stems & Panicles of flower heads in short spikes. Provides Interesting Foliage and Movement.
Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade, some varieties will take Full Sun, (check specific plant’s preference)
Soil Requirements: Carex grow in soils ranging from 5.5 to 7.5 on the pH scale. Most average garden soils fall between a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
Water Needs: Some like Wetter Sites, Some Drier Conditions. Check variety for water needs.
Fire Resistant: YES; Zone 1 – 8; Plant 30’+ from house
Attributes: Deer Resistant, Provides 3- seasons of Interest, Easy to grow, Low maintenance; Wide Range of Colorful Grass-like Foliage; Adds Drama to a Landscape, Adds Texture, Host plants for butterflies and skippers. Beneficial to pollinators by providing cover in the winter. Excellent seed source for birds. Provides Texture and Movement in a landscape.
Uses: Carex species to suit just about any situation. Mass plantings, Ground Cover, Container Plantings, Rockery gardens, Lining Sidewalks, Edging Flowerbeds, and more.
Note: May be Susceptible to Rust, Smut, Leaf Spot, Aphids.
Native to: Found Worldwide
Oregon Native: NO
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9, check variety for hardiness in your zone.
Carex buchananaii
Carex glauca
Carex morrowii (variegated)
Carex Albula
Report by: Viki Ashford, and Carlotta Lucas, both AGC Board Members
Photos by Monrovia Nursery: https://www.monrovia.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=carex
Plant Name: Deschampsia cespitosa Common name: Tufted Hairgrass Plant Type: Ornamental Grass Plant Height: 2’ – 3’ Spread: 1’ – 2’ Bloom Time: July – September Flower Color: Tones of Gold, Silver, Purple, Green Exposure: Part Shade Soil Requirements: Average, Medium, Moist, Well-Drained Soil; Water Needs: Medium Attributes: Showy Flowers; Attracts Birds; Winter Interest; Airy Panicles of Variably-Color form a cloud that is attractive when backlit; Deer Resistant. Note: Cut Foliage to Ground in Late Winter Uses: Ground Cover; Rock Gardens; Mixes well with Shade Loving Perennials; Butterfly Gardens, Woodland Gardens. Native to: Most of North America Oregon Native: YES USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 – 9
Written by: The Pecks
For The Oregonian/OregonLive
A highlight from the article:
Interview with Josh Cady of Monrovia Nursery:.
“–Ornamental grasses, though considered low maintenance, need to be cut back before new spring growth each year. I always tell people to wait until they can’t stand how they look anymore, and then cut them back, which for me is usually by late winter. They are wildlife-friendly and an important food source for birds. They also lend a surreal beauty to a frozen winter garden.
–The best time to plant is August and September, but any time of the year is fine for the more hardy varieties. Amend the soil with garden lime when planting.
–Josh recommends cutting back small and medium grasses with shears or pruners and larger clumps by using duct tape to gather the blades into a tight bundle, then cut with hedge pruners.”
Plant Name: Muhlenbergia capillaries Cultivar: Pink Muhly Plant type: Evergreen Ornamental Grass Height: 3 foot X 3 foot wide Bloom Time: Fall FlowerColor: Rosy Red Exposure: Full Sun Soil Requirements: Well drained soil, dry conditions.
Water Needs: Once established, Water only occasionally. Attributes: Showy Fall Color, Water Wise Plant, North American Native. Note: Adapted to reflected heat, dry sites and poor soils. Uses: Borders, Screening, Containers, Fall color, Mass Plantings. USDA Zone: 6-9