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Carex testacea ‘Prairie Fire’ (New Zealand Hair Sedge)

New Zealand Hair Sedge 'Prairie Fire', Orange Sedge 'Prairie Fire', Carex 'Prairie Fire', Red Switch Grass, Speckled Sedge

Carex Testacea 'Prairie Fire', New Zealand Hair Sedge 'Prairie Fire', Orange Sedge 'Prairie Fire', Carex 'Prairie Fire', Red Switch Grass, Speckled Sedge, Ornamental grasses, Ornamental grass, Decorative grasses, grasses, perennial grasses

Extraordinarily eye-catching, Carex testacea ‘Prairie Fire’ is also one of the cold-hardier New Zealand Hairy Sedges. It forms a low, cascading mound of narrow, arching, olive-green leaves tipped with bright orange highlights. Inconspicuous brown flower spikes are produced in summer, whose stems droop gracefully as they age. Evergreen, this clump-forming perennial grass retains its color year-round. It is valuable for its long-lasting appeal and is regarded as one of the most beautiful ornamental grasses for the garden, where it provides a lovely contrast with other plants, mulch, or gravel.

  • Growing easily in a dense fountain-like clump about 18-24 in. tall and wide (45-60 cm), it enjoys full sun, tolerates part shade, and thrives in moistfertilewell-drained soils. Will not tolerate excessive winter wet
  • This is a graceful accent plant for beds, borders, banks and slopes, groundcover, coastal gardens, cottage gardens, and near ponds or streams where its foliage can be reflected for double the pleasure. Does well in containers, too, where it adds wonderful character and texture to your plant combinations. Effective as an edging plant or in the rock garden.
  •  Deer resistant, salt and drought tolerant, it requires very little care and provides almost all year-round interest with its wonderfully warm-colored leaves.
  • Generally disease-free, Hairy Sedge is sometimes attacked by aphids.
  • Propagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold frame in spring or by division in early summer. In summer, cut out any dead leaves.
  • Native to New Zealand

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 9
Heat Zones 8 - 9
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Cyperaceae
Genus Carex
Common names Carex
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Modern Garden, Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden, Coastal Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Carex appalachica (Appalachian Sedge)
Carex flacca ‘Blue Zinger’ (Blue Sedge)
Carex plantaginea (Plantain-Leaf Sedge)
Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania Sedge)
Carex tumulicola (Foothill Sedge)
Carex pseudocyperus (Sedge Hop)

Recommended Companion Plants

Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Hakone Grass)
Anaphalis triplinervis ‘Sommerschnee’ (Pearly Everlasting)
Heuchera ‘Ginger Ale’ (Coral Bells)
Narcissus ‘Jetfire’ (Cyclamineus Daffodil)
Euphorbia polychroma (Cushion Spurge)
Helenium ‘Waltraut’ (Sneezeweed)

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Great Ornamental Grasses for your Winter Garden
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 9
Heat Zones 8 - 9
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Ornamental Grasses
Plant Family Cyperaceae
Genus Carex
Common names Carex
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Modern Garden, Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden, Coastal Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Carex (Sedge)
Guides with
Carex (Sedge)
Not sure which Carex (Sedge) to pick?
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