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Native alternative(s) for Carex elata:
Carex glaucescens Carex glaucescens
Carex grayi Gray’s Sedge
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Carex conica Carex conica
Carex dolichostachya 'Kaga Nishiki' Carex dolichostachya 'Kaga Nishiki'
Carex albula Carex albula 'Frosty Curls'

Tufted Grass Carex elata

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
KAY-reks ee-LAY-tah
Description

Carex elata does exceptionally well near any shallow standing water and provides the best color in full sun unfortunately, this plant suffers under drought stress.  This plant forms arching, narrow green leaves with striking golden/yellow edges for the variegated species. .

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Aurea' = Bowles Golden
  • 'Bowles Golden'
  • 'Knightshades'
'Aurea' = Bowles Golden , 'Bowles Golden', 'Knightshades'
Tags:
#evergreen#perennial#sedge#ornamental grass#wet sites#cpp#HS302
 
Carex elata
Close up of flower spike Hans Hillewaert CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Carex elata
Carex elata growth habit Leonora Ellie Enking CC-BY-SA 2.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Aurea' = Bowles Golden
  • 'Bowles Golden'
  • 'Knightshades'
'Aurea' = Bowles Golden , 'Bowles Golden', 'Knightshades'
Tags:
#evergreen#perennial#sedge#ornamental grass#wet sites#cpp#HS302
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Carex
    Species:
    elata
    Family:
    Cyperaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe to Central Asia
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Dense
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    disappear quickly
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    narrow leaves are mostly yellow with green stripes
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Near Septic
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Wet Soil