Carex: A Exploration of the Genus as Grass Substitutes
Recently the usage of grasses has become very fashionable. However there are several grass like plants that are just as desirable as the true grasses. One such genus is Carex a genus that can be found worldwide often inhabiting forested areas to moist grasslands consisting of more than 2,000 species. Many species are tolerant of conditions that the majority of true grasses prefer not to inhabit. such deep shade and moist to outright aquatic environments.The genus Carex thus lends its hands to those areas that we wish we could have grasses but we know that they would otherwise fail.
That being said it would be hard pressed to believe that Carex would thrive in El Paso, but the truth is they do. The majority of the Carex I currently grow are in shaded woodland plantings. Here they provide form and texture that was otherwise lacking in planting that consists mostly of large leaved plants.It's important to provide contrast in a planting as this helps in avoiding the creation of a formless blob. Carex help guide the eye through a planting. The majority of Carex are evergreen further giving to their importance in the garden. They feature a myriad of foliage colors, often times providing light to these rather dark dank places or times. Carex typically don't prefer dry conditions but in my own experience they are tolerant of it. I believe the manures that have been added over the years have aided in their survival.
From a ecological point of view, Carex provide foliage and shelter for many invertebrates. We have Carex ' Amazon mist' and if one was to look into it you would find many woodlice overwintering. Plants that provide overwintering habitats for arthropods are crucial in maintaining the health of the garden. There are two worldview in terms of winter gardening, the tidy gardener and the spring cleaner. Carex provide a middle ground for the two parties due to their evergreen nature.They don't require the yearly maintenance that many deciduous grasses need and thus the tidy gardener doesn't need to tidy and the spring cleaner can leave the plant as is , either way there is a shelter for overwintering invertebrates. Weather you are a tidy Gardner or leave it spring, Carex are important in preserving the ecology of our gardens.I have observed the local sparrows and mockingbird pick off leaves from one of our Carex. Carex testacea 'Prairie fire'. They come in the spring and do all the cleaning for me , taking away the dead and damaged foliage in the construction of their nest. What a beautiful cycle, and Carex in the garden provide just another dancer to natures bellai .
Carex in the garden 2018
Currently in the garden we only have three members of this diverse genus. They are found in woodland plantings and function in a similar manner that the true grasses do elsewhere.This function is to act as a foil for larger leafed plants. Along with this they act as a resting place for the eye. They're movement and softness makes the observer linger and its this lingering of the eye that we as gardeners should exploit. We exploit this by planting small bulbs within the reach of these grass like plants; this is done to create the illusion of blooms hovering above a sea of grass, sprinkled jewels above the emerald foliage. From a practical point, this is done to hide the drying foliage of many bulbs. Many bulbs have the unsightly habit of flowering with consequently foliage die off at the same time.By planting within the Carex this foliage can be hidden and thus save the gardener time and peace of mind.
In the hopeful near future we plan on creating at least two ponds within our garden. Many Carex lend themselves to big planting as this is here they are found in nature. Again they provide areas of rest. Many of these bog dwellers are much more statuesque in comparison to there forested cousins. Here they may replace some of the more imposing Juncus in fear of their invasive tendency. This is not to say that Carex are not invasive themselves. One species Carex pendula is a noted weed in several states, as such look up which one you are planting before doing so. On the other habit some Carex form runners, their invasive tendency being used to the gardeners advantage as a lawn substitute .
Carex comans 'Amazon mist'
Carex comans 'Amazon mists' is a deviation from the typical Carex comans. The straight species is a bronze colored, a color that is often associated with dead grass. Usually found growing in moist New Zealand pastures, in our garden it has dwelt with drier conditions and hasn't batted a eye.This is a adaptation to the herbivorous habits of the Moa. Native to New Zealand many other plants have evolved a similar coloring, after all who wants to eat dead grass? This cultivar of Carex comans however differs in featuring a green palette with a soft green variegation along the edge of leaves.Its foliage is wispy and almost hair like. One can't help but feel the need to run your hand through it.
This plant is located near a yellow rose and receives at most 4 hours of morning sun as a nearby wall provides shade for the majority of the day. This plant provides a good contrast to darker foliage. In front of it is a small Heuchera and the two complement each other very nicely. Orange or red flowers would like be striking off this creme foliage. The foliage alone brightens this rather dark grey area.
Carex comans has small spikelets for blooms with male being carried in terminal spikelets and female in lateral. The flowers aren't that significant but are a welcome oddity. This cultivar can only be propagated by division which are best done in spring. Fall is also a good time but a little bit more risky as one runs the risk of a early frost and the recovering plant laying their in the cold wet soil where it might rot. Carex comans 'Amazon mist' is a plant worth its space it brightens the darkest of spaces and requires little attention.
Carex oshimensis 'Evergold'
Carex oshimensis is a species found within dry woodlands in Japan. This tolerance allows gardeners to exploit this adaption ad plant this carex and its associated cultivars in dry shade, perhaps even under confers. Carex oshimensis 'Evergold' add to this by providing variegated foliage that is rather cool in tone yet still brightens a dark space. Very much like the previous carex discussed Carex oshimensis ' Evergold' is a evergreen and requires little maintenance beyond the spring trimming of the few dead or unsightly foliage of the previous season. This cultiver has been observed with snails living in its shadow, another example of habitat enrichment for overwintering invertebrates, please note that these snails have done no damage to the plant and are welcomed guest.
This cultiver feature variegation , with the interior of the leaf blade being a soft milky green and the outside a dark emerald. This contrast in color is what draws the eye in. The eye is drawn and finds a place to rest and thus provides contrast to the other planting around. That's the greatest benefit of genus Carex, is their gift of contrast. This plant is planted in a bog pot and its companions are for the most part in tone of softer green (Heuchera 'Paris').
As with many other Carex the flowers are rather insignificant but do give a oddity to the garden. Flowers resemble miniature Pennistems in terms of structure and are brownish in color. this cultiver is excellent for pot culture and should have a place in everyone's garden.
Carex oshimensis 'Eversheen'
Similar to 'Evergold', Carex oshimensis 'Eversheen' features variegated foliage also in a similar manner to the previous cultiver although now the midrib variegation is stronger yellow almost golden in color. This Carex has been moved several times and has lost some of its variation. Hopefully it returns as the plant settles in.Again this plant is planted for the purpose of creating contrast, noteabilily with stronger more rich foliage types.
Typical of the species, this plant blooms are small oddities and although they could be cut off I prefer to let them. Unlike Carex oshimensis 'Evergold' the flowers of this cultiver are closer to black then the species typical brown.Both cultivars can be propagated from divisions and do well in dry shady places.
Differences between the two cultivars are sometimes hard to discern. Major differences would be their variegation but other then that it would be size. Evergold is smaller the Eversheen at least at the moment, time will tell if this remains to be true. One thing both cultivars have in common is the ease in pot culture.
Future Projects 2019
The genus Carex has a bright future and their is still so much more to explore. As stated before their are hopes of constructing a two ponds. These ponds will feature several of the larger Carex species. The hope is that these Carex will added a tropical lush look to the already overgrown planting. As well as this they would provide shelter for small birds and a place for which members of the order Odorata can have their nymphs layed and matured.We have a small woodland planting surrounded by a stone pathway. We have plans on redoing the pathway and replacing it along the edges with several of the Carex which are recommended for grass substitution. Inter planted would be small perennials and bulbs. The hope is that this would create a more natural look, as if the surrounding planting is spilling out. It would be a very English look.
That being said it would be hard pressed to believe that Carex would thrive in El Paso, but the truth is they do. The majority of the Carex I currently grow are in shaded woodland plantings. Here they provide form and texture that was otherwise lacking in planting that consists mostly of large leaved plants.It's important to provide contrast in a planting as this helps in avoiding the creation of a formless blob. Carex help guide the eye through a planting. The majority of Carex are evergreen further giving to their importance in the garden. They feature a myriad of foliage colors, often times providing light to these rather dark dank places or times. Carex typically don't prefer dry conditions but in my own experience they are tolerant of it. I believe the manures that have been added over the years have aided in their survival.
From a ecological point of view, Carex provide foliage and shelter for many invertebrates. We have Carex ' Amazon mist' and if one was to look into it you would find many woodlice overwintering. Plants that provide overwintering habitats for arthropods are crucial in maintaining the health of the garden. There are two worldview in terms of winter gardening, the tidy gardener and the spring cleaner. Carex provide a middle ground for the two parties due to their evergreen nature.They don't require the yearly maintenance that many deciduous grasses need and thus the tidy gardener doesn't need to tidy and the spring cleaner can leave the plant as is , either way there is a shelter for overwintering invertebrates. Weather you are a tidy Gardner or leave it spring, Carex are important in preserving the ecology of our gardens.I have observed the local sparrows and mockingbird pick off leaves from one of our Carex. Carex testacea 'Prairie fire'. They come in the spring and do all the cleaning for me , taking away the dead and damaged foliage in the construction of their nest. What a beautiful cycle, and Carex in the garden provide just another dancer to natures bellai .
Carex in the garden 2018
Currently in the garden we only have three members of this diverse genus. They are found in woodland plantings and function in a similar manner that the true grasses do elsewhere.This function is to act as a foil for larger leafed plants. Along with this they act as a resting place for the eye. They're movement and softness makes the observer linger and its this lingering of the eye that we as gardeners should exploit. We exploit this by planting small bulbs within the reach of these grass like plants; this is done to create the illusion of blooms hovering above a sea of grass, sprinkled jewels above the emerald foliage. From a practical point, this is done to hide the drying foliage of many bulbs. Many bulbs have the unsightly habit of flowering with consequently foliage die off at the same time.By planting within the Carex this foliage can be hidden and thus save the gardener time and peace of mind.
In the hopeful near future we plan on creating at least two ponds within our garden. Many Carex lend themselves to big planting as this is here they are found in nature. Again they provide areas of rest. Many of these bog dwellers are much more statuesque in comparison to there forested cousins. Here they may replace some of the more imposing Juncus in fear of their invasive tendency. This is not to say that Carex are not invasive themselves. One species Carex pendula is a noted weed in several states, as such look up which one you are planting before doing so. On the other habit some Carex form runners, their invasive tendency being used to the gardeners advantage as a lawn substitute .
Carex comans 'Amazon mist'
This plant is located near a yellow rose and receives at most 4 hours of morning sun as a nearby wall provides shade for the majority of the day. This plant provides a good contrast to darker foliage. In front of it is a small Heuchera and the two complement each other very nicely. Orange or red flowers would like be striking off this creme foliage. The foliage alone brightens this rather dark grey area.
Carex comans has small spikelets for blooms with male being carried in terminal spikelets and female in lateral. The flowers aren't that significant but are a welcome oddity. This cultivar can only be propagated by division which are best done in spring. Fall is also a good time but a little bit more risky as one runs the risk of a early frost and the recovering plant laying their in the cold wet soil where it might rot. Carex comans 'Amazon mist' is a plant worth its space it brightens the darkest of spaces and requires little attention.
Carex oshimensis 'Evergold'
Carex oshimensis is a species found within dry woodlands in Japan. This tolerance allows gardeners to exploit this adaption ad plant this carex and its associated cultivars in dry shade, perhaps even under confers. Carex oshimensis 'Evergold' add to this by providing variegated foliage that is rather cool in tone yet still brightens a dark space. Very much like the previous carex discussed Carex oshimensis ' Evergold' is a evergreen and requires little maintenance beyond the spring trimming of the few dead or unsightly foliage of the previous season. This cultiver has been observed with snails living in its shadow, another example of habitat enrichment for overwintering invertebrates, please note that these snails have done no damage to the plant and are welcomed guest.This cultiver feature variegation , with the interior of the leaf blade being a soft milky green and the outside a dark emerald. This contrast in color is what draws the eye in. The eye is drawn and finds a place to rest and thus provides contrast to the other planting around. That's the greatest benefit of genus Carex, is their gift of contrast. This plant is planted in a bog pot and its companions are for the most part in tone of softer green (Heuchera 'Paris').
As with many other Carex the flowers are rather insignificant but do give a oddity to the garden. Flowers resemble miniature Pennistems in terms of structure and are brownish in color. this cultiver is excellent for pot culture and should have a place in everyone's garden.
Carex oshimensis 'Eversheen'
Typical of the species, this plant blooms are small oddities and although they could be cut off I prefer to let them. Unlike Carex oshimensis 'Evergold' the flowers of this cultiver are closer to black then the species typical brown.Both cultivars can be propagated from divisions and do well in dry shady places.
Differences between the two cultivars are sometimes hard to discern. Major differences would be their variegation but other then that it would be size. Evergold is smaller the Eversheen at least at the moment, time will tell if this remains to be true. One thing both cultivars have in common is the ease in pot culture.
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| A shady planting earlier in the spring featuring Carex comans 'Amazon mist'. |
Future Projects 2019
The genus Carex has a bright future and their is still so much more to explore. As stated before their are hopes of constructing a two ponds. These ponds will feature several of the larger Carex species. The hope is that these Carex will added a tropical lush look to the already overgrown planting. As well as this they would provide shelter for small birds and a place for which members of the order Odorata can have their nymphs layed and matured.We have a small woodland planting surrounded by a stone pathway. We have plans on redoing the pathway and replacing it along the edges with several of the Carex which are recommended for grass substitution. Inter planted would be small perennials and bulbs. The hope is that this would create a more natural look, as if the surrounding planting is spilling out. It would be a very English look.
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