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Carex morrowii is often confused with:
Liriope spicata Plant in Bloom
Native alternative(s) for Carex morrowii:
Carex glaucescens Carex glaucescens
Carex grayi Gray’s Sedge
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Carex albula Carex albula 'Frosty Curls'
Carex conica 'Snow Line' Carex conica
Carex oshimensis Carex hachijoensis 'Evergold'

Japanese Sedge Carex morrowii

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Japanese Sedge:

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

Dense, mounding grass-like plant - 12-18" tall. Drought tolerant but grows well in wet soils.  Grows well as a container plant.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Flat, thick leaves, 1/4-1/2" wide
  • Leaves are dark green, 12" long
  • Mounding, grass-like plant, 12-18" tall

Evergreen, good for massing and weed control, rock gardens and shady borders. No serious pest or disease problems. 

Prefers moist soil, tolerant of drought and shade.

Inflorescence:  Grown for foliage; inconspicuous flowers

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Evergold', '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#pollinator plant#fantz#larval host plant#wet soils tolerant#garden walls#butterfly friendly#HS302#various satyr butterfly#container plant#perennial#wildlife friendly
 
Carex morrowii 'Aurea varigata'
Carex morrowii 'Aurea varigata' F. D. Richards CC-BY-SA 2.0
Carex morrowii
Form F. D. Richards CC-BY-SA 2.0
Carex morrowii
In a container. -Sue Lunton- CC BY-NC 2.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Evergold', '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#pollinator plant#fantz#larval host plant#wet soils tolerant#garden walls#butterfly friendly#HS302#various satyr butterfly#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
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports various Satyr larvae.
    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
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Dense
    Mounding
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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 Drainage:
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Spike
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    Short-lived spikes with 4-6 small flowers in spring.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    White
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Flat, thick, 1/4-1/2" wide, dark green, edged in white, 12" long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil