- Botanical name: Carex testacea
- Common name: Sedge
- Family: Cyperaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Evergreen
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
Carex testacea bears slim arching leaves, which start out olive green and become warm copper-bronze with maturity. The leaves look particularly striking when grown in full sun. In midsummer it bears small, brown flower spikes.
Drought tolerant, grow Carex testacea among other grasses or perennials, such as sedum (pictured), or as a specimen plant in a large pot. Its architectural form makes it an ideal foil for cottage garden plants in a herbaceous border.
For best results grow in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil. Winter protection may be needed in northern regions.
How to grow Carex testacea
-
Plant size
1.5m height
60cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front, middle
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade
- Hardiness: Frost hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do not Divide in March |
A
Do not Divide in April |
M
Do not Divide in May |
J
Do Divide in June |
J
Do Divide in July |
A
Do Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Carex testacea and wildlife
Carex testacea has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Carex testacea poisonous?
Carex testacea has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Carex testacea
