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Grass Like

Carex nigra 'On-line' (v)

sedge 'On-line'

Slowly spreading, clump-forming, evergreen perennial sedge, about 45cm tall, producing creeping mounds of grey-green foliage narrowly margined creamy-yellow. Bears purplish-black flower spikes, early to late summer

Synonyms

Carex nigra 'Variegata'
Carex nigra variegated

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Cyperaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming, Tufted
Genus: Carex can be deciduous or evergreen, rhizomatous or tufted perennials, with triangular stems bearing linear or strap-shaped leaves and short or long spikes of tiny green or brown flowers
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile moist but well-drained soil, boggy soil or by water, best in full sun. Suitable as ground cover, especially in wet areas and coastal situations See ornamental grasses cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division in mid spring to early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Ground cover

Pruning

Cut out any dead leaves on evergreen species in summer

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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