There are many varieties to choose from in the genus Carex. Some are stately ornamental grasses with delicate, curved blades in golden brown to copper colours, while others grow regimentally upright in shades of brown.
Some, looking a little confused, can only be described as being the colour of scrambled eggs; others are smartly striped in green and cream, and green and bright yellow. Ornamental grasses like Carex hachijoensis ‘Evergold’, which have yellow or white leaves with green edges, make lovely ground covers around plants with strong forms. The carex types in shades of brown and khaki that look almost like dry veld grass, are currently most fashionable and are being used in garden design to create natural-looking, low-maintenance ‘veld grass’ gardens. They are also planted in rockeries, and en masse around focal plants with strong forms, as well as interesting tree stumps and garden sculptures.
 
Most suitable climate
Carex grasses grow in any climate and are relatively frost hardy. Those with variegated foliage and broader leaves could suffer some damage from severe frost.
 
What they need
Location: full sun or light shade.
Soil: free-draining soil.
Water: require regular watering.
Fertilizing and maintenance: for lush growth it is usually sufficient to add compost and bone meal to the soil when planting. Cut them back quite heavily if they start looking untidy.
 
In a nutshell
* Easy to cultivate.
* Low maintenance, medium water consumption.
* Excellent for contrast.
* Evergreen.
* Ideal for mass planting.