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Carex morrowii is often confused with:
Liriope spicata Plant in Bloom
Native alternative(s) for Carex morrowii:
Carex glaucescens Large grassy plant with erect infloresnces.
Carex grayi Clump of grassy foliage
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Carex conica Carex conica
Iberis sempervirens Iberis sempervirens
Salvia rosmarinus close-up of three, pale blue, 2-lipped flowers.

Carex morrowii

Phonetic Spelling
KAY-reks mor-ROW-ee-eye
Description

Morrow’s sedge is a grass-like herbaceous perennial in the sedge family (Cyperaceae) native to Japan. The species epithet honors Dr. James Morrow, a botanist and agricultural scientist who accompanied Commodore Matthew C. Perry on his expeditions to open Japan to international trade.

Morrow’s sedge grows in moist, acidic soil in any light conditions, but a site in full sun will need constant moisture. In shadier sites, the plant can tolerate occasional droughts. It is an easy-to-grow, trouble-free, ornamental sedge.

This evergreen sedge is good for mass planting in beds under trees and shady borders, or it can be used as an accent plant in a container or rock garden. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Rarely troubled by aphids and rhizoctonia.

More information on Carex.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Shaded Slope
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • EverColor® ‘Everglow’
    Green leaves with cream margins. Leave turn orangish in winter.
  • 'Fishers Form'
    Variegated edged in creamy white, very upright habit
  • 'Gold Band'
  • 'Ice Dance'
    Cream-white margins
  • 'Silk Tassel'
    Showy white margins on fine, thread-like leaves.
  • 'Variegata'
    Green margins and a white central stripe
EverColor® ‘Everglow’, 'Fishers Form', 'Gold Band', 'Ice Dance', 'Silk Tassel', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#shade garden#sedge#ornamental grass#groundcover#rock garden#border planting#grass-like#fantz#wet soils tolerant#garden walls#HS302#container plant#perennial#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • EverColor® ‘Everglow’
    Green leaves with cream margins. Leave turn orangish in winter.
  • 'Fishers Form'
    Variegated edged in creamy white, very upright habit
  • 'Gold Band'
  • 'Ice Dance'
    Cream-white margins
  • 'Silk Tassel'
    Showy white margins on fine, thread-like leaves.
  • 'Variegata'
    Green margins and a white central stripe
EverColor® ‘Everglow’, 'Fishers Form', 'Gold Band', 'Ice Dance', 'Silk Tassel', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#shade garden#sedge#ornamental grass#groundcover#rock garden#border planting#grass-like#fantz#wet soils tolerant#garden walls#HS302#container plant#perennial#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Carex
    Species:
    morrowii
    Family:
    Cyperaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central & S. Japan
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Dense
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    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:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Spike
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Short-lived spikes with 4-6 small flowers in spring.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Flat, thick, 1/4- to 1/2-inch wide, dark green, edged in white, 12 inches long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Riparian
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Fairy Garden
    Rain Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil