Plants in family cyperaceae
Carex siderosticta
Carex siderosticta is a species of sedge native to East Asia, known for its green-and-white edged leaves. This plant spreads slowly and non-aggressively, forming a 6-inch tall groundcover. Carex siderosticta is deer-resistant and suitable for moist or average garden soils, making it a versatile choice for various garden settings. Its unique foliage brightens spring woodland gardens, creating a solid, non-weedy mat that adds interest to shaded areas.
Carex radiata
Carex radiata is a narrow-leaf, evergreen sedge native to North America, from Canada to Alabama. It grows on moist sloping sites in light, open shade and forms ornamental mounds of yellowish-green foliage. This sedge is known for its showy flowers and is a great choice for adding texture to shaded gardens.
Carex comans
Carex comans is an ornamental plant endemic to New Zealand, growing in clumps of bluish-green leaves with chocolate-colored sedge. It reaches a height of 25-35 centimeters and features delicate, wispy foliage that curls at the ends, adding texture to gardens.
Cyperus alternifolius
Cyperus alternifolius, also known as umbrella papyrus, is an ornamental plant native to West Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula. It features green stems topped with umbrella-like growths and requires copious amounts of water.
Carex platyphylla
Carex platyphylla is a native ornamental grass found in forests from southeast Canada to the eastern United States. It features powder blue, pleated leaves and is deer-resistant. This plant tolerates deep shade and drought, making it ideal for woodland gardens.
Carex oshimensis 'Evergold'
Carex oshimensis 'Evergold' is an evergreen ornamental grass native to Japan, known for its fountain-like form and striking bi-color leaves of sandy gold with dark green edges. This perennial is deer-resistant and thrives in USDA zones 5-10, preferring dappled sunlight or light shade. It grows 10-16 inches tall and wide, making it suitable for woodland borders, near water features, or mass plantings in gardens. Its dramatic weeping habit and low-maintenance nature make it a popular choice for various landscapes.
Carex eburnea
Carex eburnea is a small, slender sedge native to North America, forming clumps of soft green, needle-like foliage. It prefers sandy or gravelly soil and is drought-tolerant, making it ideal for rock gardens.
Carex oshimensis 'Everglow'
Carex oshimensis 'Everglow' is a ground cover and container plant with bright golden foliage and a hint of orange. It forms a neat mound and is low maintenance, making it an excellent choice for gardens. This plant is cold hardy and thrives in a variety of conditions.
Carex remota
Carex remota is a dwarf carex with shiny green, narrow foliage forming small clumps. It is native to Europe, Africa, and Asia, and is a riparian forest specialist. This deer-resistant plant frequently hybridizes with other Carex species.
Carex demissa
Carex demissa is a clump-forming sedge native to Iceland, Europe, and western Asia, and has been introduced to regions like eastern Canada and New Jersey. It is part of the Carex flava species complex and is well-suited for woodland gardens. This plant features narrow green foliage and thrives in light shade, making it a versatile choice for naturalistic garden settings.
Carex cherokeensis 'Crying Time'
Carex cherokeensis 'Crying Time' is a heavy-flowered selection with pendant, weeping flowerheads. It forms a 30-inch tall by 4.5-foot wide clump and blooms from early May through early summer. This plant grows best in half-day sun and slightly moist soil, tolerating some shade and short dry periods.
Cyperus helferi
Cyperus helferi is a grass-like aquatic plant that can be grown submerged or emersed, making it versatile for aquascapes. Its leaves can reach up to 20 inches long, providing a striking background in aquariums. This undemanding species thrives in a wide range of water conditions and prefers temperatures below 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It is native to Southeast Asia and is known for its bright green, curling leaves.
Carex elata 'Bowles Golden'
Carex elata 'Bowles Golden' is a clumping golden sedge discovered in Norfolk, England. It features upright, narrow, golden foliage with a green border, which is brightest in spring and early summer. This ornamental grass prefers bright light and very moist soil, making it suitable for rain gardens and wet areas. Its striking color and form add visual interest to garden beds and borders.
Machaerina rubiginosa
Machaerina rubiginosa, a native of New Zealand, is a perennial plant ideal for wet areas such as water gardens or ponds. It features rigid, dark green stems with gold banding, growing up to 30 inches tall. This plant spreads slowly through rhizomes and thrives in moist soil, although it cannot withstand constant flooding. Its soft texture and ornamental appearance make it a popular choice for gardeners looking to enhance their water features.
Carex 'Feather Falls'
Carex 'Feather Falls' is a tri-specific sedge hybrid forming a 2-foot tall by 5-foot wide clump of white and green striped foliage. It tolerates both moist and average-to-dry soils and may need dividing every 3-4 years, making it versatile for various garden settings.
Cyperus albostriatus 'Variegatus'
Cyperus albostriatus 'Variegatus' is a superb groundcover known for its 12-inch tall rosettes of green leaves with silver streaking. Thriving in dry shade, it forms a 5-foot wide patch in 5 years, making it ideal for filling large areas. This plant is perfect for adding texture and color to shaded garden spaces, with its variegated foliage providing visual interest throughout the growing season.
Eleocharis tuberculosa 'Maple Hill'
Eleocharis tuberculosa 'Maple Hill' is a native plant found from coastal Maine to Texas, thriving in moist, boggy soils. It forms evergreen clumps resembling fine-textured carex, reaching 3.5 feet wide and 10 inches tall. The plant features tiny, dangling brown pine cone-like structures at the leaf tips, adding unique visual interest.
Carex flacca 'Mini'
Carex flacca 'Mini' is a Mediterranean-native sedge with blue foliage, forming dense tufts up to 8 inches tall and 2.5 feet wide. Known for its everblue color and lack of seeding, it grows well in a variety of conditions. A light trim before new growth in spring is recommended.
Carex scaposa
Carex scaposa is a tussock-forming perennial sedge native to eastern Asia. It features wide green leaves and pink-plumed flowers, attracting honeybees. This plant grows well in woodland slopes and along streams, thriving at elevations up to 5,000 feet.
Carex siderosticta 'Snow Cap'
Carex siderosticta 'Snow Cap' is a Japanese selection with striking white leaves bordered in green. This slowly spreading deciduous plant is perfect for moist to average woodland garden soil. It adds a touch of elegance to shaded garden areas with its unique foliage.
Carex radiata 'Halifax'
Carex radiata 'Halifax' is a native sedge from eastern North America, forming a finely-textured 8-inch tall semi-evergreen mound. It pairs well with hostas and hellebores, creating a 30-inch wide ring of foliage after flowering in spring.
Carex 'Silver Curls'
Carex 'Silver Curls' is a weeping sedge with a silvery waterfall effect created by its hair-thin leaves. It is ideal for planting near pools, rock walls, or in woodland gardens. This ornamental grass thrives in part sun to light shade and is rabbit resistant.
Carex tenuiculmis 'Cappuccino'
Carex tenuiculmis 'Cappuccino' is an evergreen perennial grass that grows 12-15 inches tall and spreads 18-24 inches wide. Hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9, it is resistant to deer and rabbits and has few pest and disease issues. This grass thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires well-drained soil, making it a low-maintenance choice for various garden settings.
Carex buchananii 'Red Rooster'
Carex buchananii 'Red Rooster' is a New Zealand native ornamental grass with bronzy foliage. It forms a tight clump 18 inches tall and 3 feet wide, thriving in moist, open forests and along river edges. This plant adds a unique texture to garden landscapes.
Carex testacea
Carex testacea is a grass-like perennial with bronzy green blades that turn an electric orange in fall. It is versatile and adaptable, thriving in both wet and dry locations, and is suitable for small yards and urban gardens. This plant is deer and rabbit resistant, making it a durable choice for various garden settings.
Carex 'Pinkie'
Carex 'Pinkie', possibly Carex flagellifera, is an ornamental grass forming a 2-foot tall by 3-foot wide clump. It features bronze foliage with a slight pink cast when exposed to sunlight. This plant is suitable for part sun to light shade and can be used in rock gardens or as a groundcover.
Cyperus papyrus 'King Tut'
Cyperus papyrus 'King Tut' is a fast-growing plant that produces large heads of pendulous leaves and greenish flower spikelets. It can be planted in pots or along water's edge and is perennial in zones 9-11, serving as an annual in zones 3-8.
Carex buchananii 'Red Fox'
Carex buchananii 'Red Fox' is an evergreen sedge with bronze-red foliage, growing up to 2-3 feet tall and wide. It thrives in damp areas and is suitable for USDA zones 5-9, making it an excellent choice for edging and mass plantings.
Isolepis cernua
Isolepis cernua, also known as fiber optic grass, is a bright green, grass-like plant with small flowers at the tips of its fine, hair-like blades. It forms clumps and produces white to near-white blooms. This heat-tolerant perennial thrives in zones 9-11 and is ideal for adding texture to gardens.