Carex testacea Prairie Fire - orange New Zealand Sedge

Carex testacea Prairie Fire is a superb variety of New Zealand sedge that sets the garden on fire at the end of the season. This medium-sized grass forms clumps of leaves with a very fine texture, whose bronze or olive green colour gradually takes on more and more coppery hues over time. In autumn, it transforms into a flaming copper orange mane, magnificent next to the blue stars of asters or the purple spikes of catmints. It is also a accommodating, robust, and reliable perennial, easy to grow in well-drained soil that is not too dry.

Carex testacea is a sedge belonging to the large family of Cyperaceae, native to New Zealand. This rhizomatous grass forms a dense clump with a spreading, arching habit, reaching a height of about 40 cm (16in) and a diameter of 50 cm (20in), without being invasive. Its evergreen leaves are sheathing at the base, long, very thin, and grass-like, with sharp edges, slightly twisted, and trailing at their tips. From spring to summer, they have a blend of light green and olive green colours, tinged with bronze. With cool autumn nights, they take on beautiful shades of brown to copper orange, with the tips of the leaves being more orange. In summer, in June-July, inconspicuous brown to black, scale-like spikes, 1 to 3 cm (0.5 to 1in) long, appear on slender, triangular-sectioned stems, which sometimes elongate disproportionately, emerging more than 2m (7ft) above the foliage. It is a monoecious plant, like all Carex, producing separate male and female flowers on the same individual.

The orange sedge is a charming and versatile 'grass' that will make the garden attractive in both summer and winter. This highly resistant perennial can be used in difficult areas such as urban gardens as groundcover, where it can play a significant role in soil stabilisation on slopes. It is also a good plant for containers, to be placed on balconies or patios, but always in full sun to enhance the beautiful colours of its foliage. It is undemanding and does not require much water, making it suitable for association with other grasses (Stipa tenuifolia or capillata, Muhlenbergia capillaris) as well as perennials such as asters, Gaura, or Verbena bonariensis. Carex testacea Prairie Fire will warm up the space with its flaming orange, even at the end of a sunny winter day under low-angle sunlight. Planted en masse along a path or alley, it will emphasise and soften its layout. It can also be planted in a border with green or silver groundcover plants, such as dwarf artemisias, Stachys, cerastiums, or Iberis sempervirens. For a beautiful wild effect, plant it en masse in a contemporary or countryside garden, paired with orange-coloured flowers like Echinaceas Marmalade and Tangerine Dream.

Among the 1000 species of sedges growing throughout the world, it would be surprising if you didn't find one that suits you. They can be found in all environments where plants grow. Some adapt easily to many situations and any garden soil, while others must be cultivated in their own specific environment. Make your choice!