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Machaerina rubiginosa 'Variegata'

Previously known as:

  • Baumea rubiginosa 'Variegata'
Phonetic Spelling
mak-er-EE-nah roo-bij-ih-NO-suh
Description

'Variegata' is a cultivar of M. rubiginosais, or Striped Rush, a water-loving perennial in the sedge family native to tropical Asia, Japan, and New Zealand. 'Varegata' is distinguised by its sword-shaped variegated blades. The leaves or blades are deep green and striped along one edge with yellow.  The blades form dense clumps by means of long, scaly rhizomes that will spread into colonies. The genus name is a reference to the blades from the Greek word 'machaira', which means 'a large knife'.

'Variegata' does best in acidic, moist to wet soil with full sun.  Plants grown in shady or part-shady areas may experience faded blades that may also become less erect or vertical.  Locating in an area that has predominately wet conditions in loose soil may also lead to taller growth. Under ideal conditions, the plants will form dense basal clumps and spread into colonies. If finding such a location (full sun, wet, loose soil) is problematic, you can more easily grow the plant in a 2-gallon pot  covered with 1 to 6 inches of water.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: 

None noted.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#water garden#pond garden#attractive leaves#variegated#acidic soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#perennial#perennial grass
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#water garden#pond garden#attractive leaves#variegated#acidic soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#perennial#perennial grass
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Machaerina
    Species:
    rubiginosa
    Family:
    Cyperaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Water Plant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • 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 pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Moist
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Nut
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Smooth, oblong, brown to yellow-orange, small nut.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Panicles, 3 to 13 inches, rounded at the tip, with clusters of 1/4 inch red-brown flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Variegated
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    This plant has cylindrical, flat, sword-shaped green leaves with yellow and dark green variegation.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Border
    Mass Planting