Common Name: New Zealand sedge
Type: Rush or Sedge
Family: Cyperaceae
Zone: 7 to 9
Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: Brown
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Annual, Ground Cover, Rain Garden
Leaf: Colorful, Evergreen
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerate: Drought, Wet Soil
Culture
Best grown in full sun to partial shade in evenly moist to wet, well-draining soil. Tolerant of occasional drought. Propagate using fresh seed or division. Reliably hardy in Zones 7-9. May be hardy in Zone 6 if sited in a protected location and mulched well. Can be used as an annual in colder climates.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Carex tenuiculmis, commonly called New Zealand sedge, is a tussock-forming, grass-like, evergreen, herbaceous perennial native to seepages, pond and stream margins, tarns and other moist areas on New Zealand's South Island, Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. Mature clumps will reach 1.25' tall and 3' wide. The narrow, arching, reddish-green leaves will reach 10-30" long and emerge from 8-20" long culms (stems). The spike-like inflorescences are 3-5.5" long and bear clusters of light brown to tan colored florets from late spring into summer. The foliage turns shades of bronze-orange in the fall.
Genus name from Latin means cutter in reference to the sharp leaves and stem edges (rushes are round but sedges have edges) found on most species' plants.
The specific epithet teniculmis means "slender stemmed" and refers to the shorter and more slender culms of this species compared to the related Carex secta.
The common name New Zealand sedge refers to the native range of this species.
'Cappuccino' is a compact selection of New Zealand sedge that will reach around 1.5' tall with a 2' spread.
Problems
No known pest or disease problems.
Uses
Mixed borders, rain gardens, moist areas of rock gardens. Accent specimen or mass to create a ground cover. Excellent in large containers or cascading over the top of a retaining wall.