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Carex (Sedge)
Carex, related to ornamental grasses, just don't get no respect. These mostly evergreen clumpers add dramatic colors, behave well, blend texturally with most anything, and are easy to grow. Many of the carex are even suited to perform such mundane garden functions as lining pathways in a woodland garden. Great companion plants to hostas, most carex perform their best when grown in a moist location, although they are somewhat tolerant of neglect... give a carex a try! |
Carex appalachica (Appalachian Carex)
Light Shade to Shade Zone: 4-7, at least 6" tall Origin: USA
This superb sedge, native from Quebec south to SC, is a must for shade gardeners. Naturally occurring in dry woodlands, even underneath hemlocks, Carex appalachica is adaptable to almost all garden conditions...except swamps. The very narrow, weeping, mop-top looking foliage makes an airy, 18" wide clump. When used singly or in mass, the textural contrast near bolder elements is simply stunning. If you've been looking for a shady replacement for an unmown lawn or a hairpiece that matches your green thumb, look no further. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05793
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Carex ciliatomarginata 'Treasure Island' PP 16,332 (Treasure Island Sedge)
Light Shade to ShadeZone: 5-8 3" tall Origin: Japan
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We are pleased to introduce to the gardening world a stunning new woodland sedge...a selection of the Japanese C. ciliatomarginata. From Minnesota's Hans Hansen, this smaller-growing relative of C. siderosticta 'Variegata' makes a 15" wide clump in 3 years. Each narrow green leaf is bordered with a dramatic white edge. We have found C. ciliatomarginata to tolerate a wide range of garden moisture levels, but slightly moist soils seem to make it most happy. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05819
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Carex dolichostachya 'Kaga nishiki' (Gold Fountain Sedge)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5-9 10" tall Origin: Japan alternate image
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This selection of C. dolichostachya var. glaberrima is a delightful easy-to-grow but difficult to pronounce addition to any plant collection, via a Barry Yinger expedition to Japan. This evergreen carex has narrow, dark green leaves with a nice golden border. C.'Kaga nishiki' forms a delightful small clump, 10" tall x 20" wide, perfect for the rock garden, or perhaps a woodland border...a good grower...striking! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01195
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Carex eburnea (Bristle-leaf Sedge)
Sun to ShadeZone: 2-8, possibly warmer 6" tall Origin: USA
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Even with a wide native range from NC to the West Coast, this rare native is little-known in gardening circles. Although it naturally occurs on limestone outcrops, it has been fabulous for years in our acid NC soils. The drought-tolerant, 8" wide symmetrical clumps of soft green needle-like foliage resemble little green porcupines...pettable porcupines. This delightful sedge is great in a woodland or rock garden! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01602
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Carex flacca 'Blue Zinger' (Blue Zinger Sedge)
Sun to Part SunZone: 4-8 12" tall Origin: Europe
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(syn: C. glauca) This recent richly-colored Emerald Coast selection of the European native C. flacca has wonderfully narrow glaucous blue leaves that make a delightfully wispy-textured evergreen groundcover. Although C. flacca prefers moist alkaline soils, it has proven to be quite adaptable to a wide range of garden conditions and soil types. C. flacca does spread, but C. 'Blue Zinger' is much more clump forming than the straight species...similar to Carex 'Ice Dance'. Expect a 2' wide patch in 5 years. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07148
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Carex morrowii 'Goldband' (Japanese Sedge)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5-9 12" tall Origin: Japan
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(syn: C. 'Gilt', C. 'Fisher's Form') This is a truly great woodland plant. The stiff leaf blades, to 12" long x 1/2" wide, make an evergreen, rigidly symmetrical clump to 24" wide. The foliage is vertically banded white and dark green...much more white than C. morrowii 'Variegatus' but otherwise, identical in growth habit. Looks great winter and summer! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00165
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Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance' (Ice Dance Sedge)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5-9 12" tall Origin: Japan
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This 1996 Barry Yinger introduction from Japan is identical to Carex morrowii 'Variegata' except that it spreads, instead of forms, a clump. The 1/2" wide, dark green leaves with clear white borders are wonderful to brighten the woodland. The moderately spreading habit makes C. 'Ice Dance' great for covering the woodland floor. The rate of spread is just perfect...not fast enough to become a problem but not slow enough to try your patience...a great addition! In 2002, Carex 'Ice Dance' was given the prestigious Outstanding Plant Award from the International Hardy Plant Union. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #02170
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Carex morrowii 'Silk Tassel' (Striped Japanese Sedge)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5-9 12" tall Origin: Japan alternate image
New crop availabe 7-24-2008 Everyone who sees this clumping carex can't leave without it. From a 1970s Barry Yinger expedition to Japan comes this hard-to-find but easy-to-grow selection of C. morrowii temnolepis v. temnolepis. The 2' wide clump of wispy thread-like foliage is striped white-and-green...giving it a silver sheen in the garden. Imagine a 70 year old with a mop-top cut that hasn't been introduced to hair color and you get the picture. C. 'Silk Tassel' is great in the woodland garden...either in a mass planting or as a specimen near the garden pond...absolutely outstanding! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01197
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Carex muskingumensis 'Oehme' (Variegated Palm Sedge)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5-9 20" tall Origin: USA
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This is our introduction from 1994, found by our friend Wolfgang Oehme (of Oehme and Van Sweden--famous landscape designers). This sport from Wolfgang's garden has the typical growth habit of the species (resembling a small palm tree) but with a clear yellow border around the leaves...can you tell we're excited?! Although the plant emerges green, the vivid stripes appear soon after. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01204
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Carex oshimensis 'Evergold' (Striped Weeping Sedge)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 5-9 10" tall Origin: Japan
(aka: C. morrowii or hachijoensis) This is one of the most beautiful of all the sedges that we grow. The narrow foliage, 1/8" wide x 15" long, arches slightly upward, then out to form a 2' wide clump. Each leaf is vividly striped dark green and creamy gold. The dramatic weeping habit (like nurseries when they run out of stock) lends itself to a number of landscape settings...as a woodland border, near a water feature, or used as an eye-catching mass...stunning! Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #01199
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Carex phyllocephala 'Sparkler' (Sparkler Sedge)
Part Sun to ShadeZone: 7b-10 15" tall Origin: Japan
From Japan comes one of the most attention-drawing plants (cures ADD) in our entire garden (and without flowers). This gorgeous, upright, evergreen sedge resembles a grove of miniature variegated palm trees with cute little whorls of dramatic white-and-green striped foliage atop each of the 12-15" tall stems. This is a real eye-catcher when planted among ferns in the woodland garden...prefers moist-to-normal garden conditions. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #00019
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Carex platyphylla (Broad-leaf Silver Sedge)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 4-8 8" tall Origin: USA
NEW!
In mesic (a region with a well-balanced moisture supply) woodlands from ME south to AL, you can find this amazing native understory sedge, which until recently had been almost non-existent in US gardens. The evergreen 8" tall x 1' wide clumps are composed of 1" wide powder blue pleated leaves. The clumps are topped with insignificant flowers in late spring, but grow this for the textural contrast in the woodland garden. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07924
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Carex siderosticta 'Lemon Zest' PP 14,463 (Lemon Zest Carex)
Part Sun to Light ShadeZone: 6-8, possibly colder 6" tall Origin: China
This new carex from Terra Nova began its life as a mutation on a plant of Carex 'Banana Boat'. The result is a 6" tall, slowly spreading groundcover composed of 6-8" long leaves that emerge gold in spring, then change to chartreuse in summer. There are few groundcovers that can brighten a spring woodland garden like Carex 'Lemon Zest'. Although quite drought-tolerant, C. 'Lemon Zest' grows best in moist but well-drained soils. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06714
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Caryopteris (Bluebeard)
These Asian members of the verbena family are becoming more and more popular each year. Not only are the selections of C. x clandonensis increasing, but new species are also being added to our garden palette. The blue-lavender flowers and interesting foliage make for a designers dream come true. |
Caryopteris divaricata 'Blue Butterflies' (Blue Butterflies Bluebeard)
SunZone: 6b-9, at least 72" tall Origin: Japan
NEW!
We have been taken with this stunning caryopteris in our trials! The vigorous 6' tall specimen, selected by Japan's Shinri Wakaiki, is topped from August through October with hundreds of small blue flowers that resemble trichostema (blue curls). Well-drained soils are particularly important for good survivability as you move into the more northerly zones...a great summer border plant.
Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07518
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Caryopteris divaricata 'Snow Fairy' (Bluebeard)
Sun to Part SunZone: 5-9 24" tall Origin: Himalayas alternate image
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Yes, Virginia, it is a caryopteris. Forget what you know about Caryopteris x clandonensis, as this cousin comes from a distant limb of the family tree. This variegated Japanese selection of the wonderful Himalayan perennial Caryopteris divaricata is about to make a big splash on this side of the pond. The small, compact clump is composed of fuzzy, green leaves, each surrounded with a bright white border, and smelling amazingly like cat urine when crushed (important safety tip...do not crush leaves). Starting in mid-September, the clumps are topped with delightful "blue curls." This is a real WOW plant that must be seen to be believed. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #04807
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Caryopteris incana 'Jason' PPAF, PVR (Sunshine Blue Bluebeard)
SunZone: 6-8 36" tall Origin: China, Japan, Korea
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This new selection of Caryopteris incana comes from the UK's Peter Champion. In spring and summer, the bright golden foliage adorns the winter-bare stem on this 3' tall x 3' wide clumper. Starting in late summer and continuing through fall, the axillary blue flowers add a stunning contrast to this already eye-opening sub-shrub. In warmer climates, C. incana has proven much easier to grow that the cold-loving C. x clandonensis. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #05542
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Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Durio' PP 16,913 (Pink Chablis False Spirea)
SunZone: 5-7 24" tall Origin: Hybrid
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This Caryopteris x clandonensis seedling (C. mongolica x C. incana) was selected by Louisiana's Dalton Durio in 1998 and subsequently introduced into horticulture. The compact, 2' tall x 3' wide, well-branched mound of twiggy stems are clothed with medium green foliage (larger than typical C. x clandonensis). The stems are topped with whorled spikes of medium pink (RHS 62C) flowers in late summer...a real color breakthrough in caryopteris. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #07122
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Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Summer Sorbet' EUPBR, PP 15,935 (Summer Sorbet Blue Mist Spirea)
SunZone: 6-8 36" tall Origin: China, Japan, Korea
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From Peter van Delft of the UK's West End Nursery comes this wonderful mutation of C. x clandonensis 'Kew Blue'. C. 'Summer Sorbet' makes a 3' tall x 3' wide clump of woody stems, clothed during the growing season with green leaves, each dramatically edged in yellow. In summer, the plants are adorned with spikes of blue flowers. Some of the earlier C. x clandonensis (C. mongolica x C. incana) don't thrive in our climate, but that is not the case with C. 'Summer Sorbet'. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml) #06641
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| <Canna] | [Ceratostigma - Chrysanthemum> |
