Carnation Grass Carex firma
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- KAY-reks FER-mah
- Description
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Glaucous sedge is an herbaceous perennial ground cover in the sedge family (Cyperaceae) native to the mountains of central and southern Europe. It is a sedge that forms dense, firm tussocks in open alpine habitat. The species epithet is Latin for “firm” and refers to the dense cushion formed by the plants in nature.
Glaucous sedge tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and is very drought-tolerant. It is also tolerant of wet conditions. It grows in full sun to partial shade. It is fully hardy, even in the coldest regions of North Carolina.
Some plants have green leaves while others have glaucous foliage, so pick the color form that best suits your garden. It spreads slowly by rhizomes, and it can be propagated by division. This plant is sometimes sold under the name "Carex glauca," but that is the name of a different species. Both species may be in cultivation under misapplied names.
Use this plant in a rock garden or borders. It is suitable for a winter garden, and the glaucous foliage would shine in a night garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Bias'
Tall cultivar with some variegation. - 'Blue Zinger'
Glaucous blue-gray foliage on 12-inch-tall mounds - 'Variegata'
Leaves have creamy yellow margins.
- 'Bias'
- 'Bias', 'Blue Zinger', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Bias'
Tall cultivar with some variegation. - 'Blue Zinger'
Glaucous blue-gray foliage on 12-inch-tall mounds - 'Variegata'
Leaves have creamy yellow margins.
- 'Bias'
- 'Bias', 'Blue Zinger', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
-
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Carex
- Species:
- firma
- Family:
- Cyperaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- European Mountains
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are borne on spikes but are insignificant.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Papery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Deltoid
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Landscape Theme:
- Nighttime Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Poor Soil
- Wet Soil
