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Native alternative(s) for Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance':
Carex glaucescens Carex glaucescens
Carex grayi Gray’s Sedge
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Illicium floridanum Illicum floridanum
Carex pensylvanica Carex pensylvanica
Illicium anisatum Illicum anisatum

Ice Dance Carex Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance'

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

This plant has cream-white margins with marginal variegation.  It spreads by rhizomes but tends not to be invasive; in addition, this great self-repairing ground cover prefers moist soil but can survive in average garden soil.  Another point it this plant may be used as an alternative or can be combined with hostas for a blend of colors and textures. 

Soil:  Range of soil types

Inflorescence:  Grown for foliage

Possible Pests: Bactra venosana caterpillar, fungus gnat larvae, thrips, susceptible to root rot diseases such as Rhizoctonia and Phythium

More information on Carex morrowii.

Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heavy shade#erosion control#wet sites#cpp#deer resistant
 
Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance'
Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance' Sue Luxton CC BY-NC 2.0
Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance'
Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance' Leonora Enking CC-BY-SA 2.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#heavy shade#erosion control#wet sites#cpp#deer resistant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Carex
    Species:
    morrowii
    Family:
    Cyperaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and Southern Japan
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ornamental Grass
    Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Dense
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Variegated
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Creamy white, marginal variegation
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Riparian
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heavy Shade
    Wet Soil