Archie

Carex brunnea

Feather Falls; Variegated Japanese Sedge; Carex brunnea

• 
  Bright light
• 
  Almost unkillable

• Archie likes...
  • 
    A sunny spot

    Archie’s happy in sun or shade. Anything from full sun to partial shade, i.e. not total darkness.

  • 
    Moist soil

    He likes his soil quite moist, so water him frequently. If he’s in a pot, make sure excess can drain out the bottom.

  • 
    Haircuts

    In late winter or early spring, comb through his leaves with your hands to remove any dead growth

• Quick facts

  Botanical name

  Carex brunnea

  Nickname

  Carex Everest grass; Japanese sedge

  Plant type

  Outdoor evergreen

  Plant height (including pot)

  30-40cm

  Pet/Baby safe?

  Yes

  Nursery pot size

  17cm

• About Carex

  Carex, or Japanese sedge grass, is a staple of the British garden. It’s compact, growing no larger than about 30cm tall, so it’s brilliant for filling gaps in flower beds or potted arrangements.

  It’s not a plant made to be the star of the show, but one to support showier growers. Its simple, striped leaves make a stylish backdrop for flowering plants. Or you can arrange it with other grasses for a low-effort display that will fill your garden or balcony with the soft sound of wind rustling through leaves.

  Originally from Japan, carex is incredibly easy to look after. It likes moist soil, so be sure to keep it regularly topped up, but other than that there’s little it needs. It’s evergreen, so will give you subtle colour all year round, including some modest brown flowers in summer. Once a year, give it a brush through with your hands to remove old, dead growth.

  Did you know?

  Fossils of carex fruits from the Miocene era have been found in Denmark, meaning this plant has existed in some form for at least 15 million years.