Weeping Brown Sedge Carex flagellifera
Other Common Name(s):
- 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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Auburn Cascade'
Hair-like foliage that is reddish brown. - 'Toffee Twist'
Hair-like foliage that is caramel brown.
- 'Auburn Cascade'
- 'Auburn Cascade', 'Toffee Twist'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Auburn Cascade'
Hair-like foliage that is reddish brown. - 'Toffee Twist'
Hair-like foliage that is caramel brown.
- 'Auburn Cascade'
- 'Auburn Cascade', 'Toffee Twist'
- Tags:
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-
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.
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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
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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
- 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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
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-
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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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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
