Carex flagellifera Kiwi

Carex flagellifera 'Kiwi' is a spectacular variety with varied shades of light green, almost fluorescent foliage! It is a perennial with grass-like foliage forming an upright clump of slender, flexible leaves, ranging from tender green to yellow-green with coppery tips, gracefully trailing in cascades. Bright and evergreen, it enhances the garden all year round and brings light to shady corners. This sedge is not demanding, as long as the soil is not too dry or heavy. It grows quickly and easily, in partial shade as well as in full sun. It is ideal for mass planting to form medium-sized borders or sprinkled in groups to create a more natural effect and a permanent structure in the garden. It also thrives in pots and containers, where its trailing foliage can be particularly highlighted.

Carex flagellifera is also called Whippoorwill Sedge, probably because of its long, thin, curly leaves resembling 'whips'. It is similar in appearance to Carex buchananii and Carex testacea, with highly ornamental colours throughout the year. Carex flagellifera (synonym Carex lucida) belongs to the Cyperaceae family, and is native to New Zealand. The 'Kiwi' variety forms an upright tuft, with the tips trailing to the ground, reaching a height of 80cm (32in) and a width of 40cm (16in). It produces floral stems that resemble leaves, elongating with the fruit's growth, eventually forming a tangled mass on the ground. It is appreciated in the garden not so much for its insignificant flowers, but for its wild mane-like appearance and its bright, acidic colour. Simply surround it with orange flowers for a sumptuous mix!

We grow this sedge in a well-exposed grass garden on a south-facing slope. It is an attractive and versatile 'grass' that adapts to any soil that is not too dry or too clayey. This resilient perennial can be used in challenging areas such as urban gardens as ground cover, 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. Carex flagellifera 'Kiwi' marks its space with its yellow-green and orange mane, even on a sunny winter day, under a low, yellow sun. Imagine a beautiful winter scene dominated by the "daughters of the wind": this trailing sedge will look phenomenal accompanied by grasses like Stipa tenuifolia or S. capillata, Muhlenbergia capillaris, and 'blue oat grass' (Helictotrichon sempervirens), with clumps interspersed with small evergreen shrubs like heathers or germander oak. When planted en masse along a path or alley, it will emphasise and soften the layout, whether in a contemporary or rural garden.

With 1000 species of sedges growing worldwide, you are sure to find one that suits your garden. They can be found in all environments where plants grow. Some adapt very easily to many situations and any garden soil, while others must be cultivated in their specific environment. Make your choice!