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Carex flagellifera is often confused with:
Carex albula Clump of leaves
Native alternative(s) for Carex flagellifera:
Carex glaucescens Large grassy plant with erect infloresnces.
Carex grayi Clump of grassy foliage
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Carex buchananii Tufts of reddish hairlike foliage in a container
Iberis sempervirens Iberis sempervirens
Rudbeckia fulgida Rudbeckia fulgida

Carex flagellifera

Phonetic Spelling
KAY-reks fla-gel-LIH-fer-uh
Description

Weeping brown sedge is a tuft-forming herbaceous perennial in the sedge family (Cyperaceae) from Tasmania and New Zealand. The species epithet is Latin for “whip-bearing” and refers to the very slender leaves that are like whips.

The plant needs an average moist garden soil, in either full sun or partial shade. This plant is perennial under mild conditions, but it may be killed outright if winter temperatures dip below 5 degrees Fahrenheit for some time.

Weeping brown sedge is an evergreen to semi-evergreen sedge with interesting arching leaves that add dramatic color and fine foliage to your garden. This sedge is low-maintenance and provides year-round interest. It may be used in a container or as a ground cover. In addition, in low borders, it provides a wonderful contrast and does well adjacent to water features. Use in shade gardens, riparian gardens, sensory gardens (for the fine-textured foliage) and winter gardens.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.

More information on Carex.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Auburn Cascade'
    Hair-like foliage that is reddish brown.
  • 'Toffee Twist'
    Hair-like foliage that is caramel brown.
'Auburn Cascade', 'Toffee Twist'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#bronze#brown#sedge#yellow leaves#low maintenance#fall interest#ornamental grass#year-round interest#pest resistant#bronze leaves#deer resistant#border planting#partial shade tolerant#HS302#container plant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Auburn Cascade'
    Hair-like foliage that is reddish brown.
  • 'Toffee Twist'
    Hair-like foliage that is caramel brown.
'Auburn Cascade', 'Toffee Twist'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#bronze#brown#sedge#yellow leaves#low maintenance#fall interest#ornamental grass#year-round interest#pest resistant#bronze leaves#deer resistant#border planting#partial shade tolerant#HS302#container plant#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Carex
    Species:
    flagellifera
    Family:
    Cyperaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    New Zealand, Chatham Islands, Tasmania
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Dense
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    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)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
  • Flowers:
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Feel:
    Papery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Filiform
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves grow from a dense fountain-like clump and are up to 2 feet long and 1/2 inch wide with entire margins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Rain Garden
    Rock Garden
    Shade Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heat
    Insect Pests