Description

Carex ‘Testacea’ is a evergreen ornamental grass-like plant that earns its place in any garden. Carex testacea, the orange New Zealand sedge, forms arching clumps of fine olive-green leaves that turn a striking orange-bronze, especially in winter and in sun.

Carex, the ornamental sedges, are evergreen, grass-like plants that form neat, arching clumps of fine leaves in shades of bronze, copper, gold, green or cream. They give year-round texture and movement to borders, gravel gardens and containers.

Key features of Carex ‘Testacea’

• Plant type: Evergreen ornamental grass-like plant
• Season of interest: Year-round foliage
• Look: Olive-green leaves turning orange-bronze in sun
• Height and spread: 0.5m x 0.6m
• Position: Sun or part shade
• Soil: Well-drained soil, ideally not too dry
• Hardiness: Hardy in most UK gardens
• Supplied in: 3L pot
• Best for: containers and edging, contemporary borders, winter interest, border edging

Why choose Carex ‘Testacea’?

• Orange-bronze foliage colour
• Arching, graceful habit
• Best colour in sun

Where to plant Carex ‘Testacea’

Carex ‘Testacea’ grows best in sun or part shade, in well-drained soil, ideally not too dry. It is a good choice for containers and edging, and also works well for contemporary borders, winter interest and border edging. Mix it with heucheras, ferns, spring bulbs and other grasses for contrast in colour and form.

How to plant Carex ‘Testacea’

Give the pot a good soak first. Then dig a wide planting hole, enrich the soil with compost, and plant so the top of the root ball sits level with the ground. Firm in gently and water well, then add a mulch to hold in moisture.

How to care for Carex ‘Testacea’

Water during dry spells in the first year. Little feeding needed. Comb through to remove dead leaves in spring; no cutting back needed. No cutting back needed; comb through the clump with gloved fingers in spring to remove dead leaves. It can rot in waterlogged soil; otherwise it is largely trouble-free.

Growing Carex ‘Testacea’ in a pot

Perfect for pots and window boxes. Use a loam-based compost such as John Innes No. 3, make sure the pot has drainage holes, and water regularly in summer, as containers dry out faster than borders.

Grown in the UK, for UK gardens

Every plant is grown at our St Annes nursery in the North West, where it is raised in real British conditions. That means a tougher, well-rooted plant that settles quickly into your garden. This Carex ‘Testacea’ is supplied in a 3L pot. Container-grown plants can be planted almost all year round, as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged; autumn and spring are ideal.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Carex ‘Testacea’ grow?
Carex ‘Testacea’ typically reaches 0.5m x 0.6m, depending on position, soil and pruning.

When does Carex ‘Testacea’ look its best?
Its main season of interest is year-round foliage, when it shows olive-green leaves turning orange-bronze in sun.

Is Carex ‘Testacea’ hardy?
Hardy in most UK gardens.

How do I prune Carex ‘Testacea’?
No cutting back needed; comb through the clump with gloved fingers in spring to remove dead leaves.

Should I cut back Carex ‘Testacea’?
No. Simply comb out dead leaves in spring; cutting it back can spoil the shape.

Is Carex ‘Testacea’ evergreen?
Yes. It keeps its foliage through winter, giving year-round colour and texture.

Add Carex ‘Testacea’ to your basket today and enjoy year-round foliage interest in your garden.