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carex grass varieties

Carex grass varieties are among the most versatile and visually striking ornamental grasses available in New Zealand gardens. With their graceful foliage, fascinating textures, and a broad range of colours, carex grasses can transform any landscape—whether you’re designing a low-maintenance border, creating contrast in a mixed planting, or looking for groundcover solutions for tricky spots. Discover the diversity of carex grass varieties to suit every style, from modern courtyard spaces to lush, layered native plantings.

Carex flagellifera Green plant with lush and colourful foliage.

Carex flagellifera Green

Carex flagellifera Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, green leaves as it grows to 50 cm tall and the same width.

From $12.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Riparian
Carex solandri grass in a NZ native planting.

Carex solandri

5 from 1 customers

Carex solandri is a NZ native, ornamental grass that features attractive, dark green foliage. The foliage emerges upright and develops a gentle and graceful arch as it expands. Dark brown seed heads in summer add an interesting element to this plant, which grows to 70 cm tall and the same width.

From $11.50

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 70 cm
Spread: 70 cm
Tolerances: Extended dry periods, Shade, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Paths & Steps, Ponds
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern, Native, Riparian
Carex flagellifera Red plants.
Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$11.50
Orange foliage on Carex testacea.
Carex testacea

Carex testacea, commonly known as Orange Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass admired for its fine, arching foliage that turns a brilliant...

From$12.95
Carex buchananii with lush brown foliage growing as a specimen plant in a rock garden.
Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

Carex buchananii, commonly known as Leatherleaf Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass-like plant with delicate, upright, copper-bronze...

From$11.50
Carex comans green plants with dense, green foliage in a garden.
Carex comans Green

Carex comans Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass featuring slender and arching, lime green foliage. It grows as a tidy clump to about 40 cm tall...

From$11.50
Carex dipsacea plants as a mass planting in a garden.
Carex dipsacea (Teasel Sedge)

Carex dipsacea is a fine-leaved, clump-forming sedge native to New Zealand. It features slender, green to bronze-tinted foliage and grows to...

From$12.95
Carex dissita (Purei) plant growing in a native garden.
Carex dissita (Purei)

Carex dissita, commonly known as Purei or Forest Sedge, features arching, mid-green leaves that radiate from a central clump. It typically grows to...

From$12.95
Carex 'Frosted Curls' plants with elegant green foliage growing in a pot with other plants.
Carex Frosted Curls

Carex Frosted Curls is an ornamental grass with slender, hair-like, iridescent foliage that shimmers in light breezes. It typically grows to 30 cm...

From$11.50
Carex comans Bronze plant in a garden with dense bronze foliage.
Carex comans Bronze

Carex comans Bronze features slender, hair-like, bronze-brown foliage. It typically grows to 40 cm tall and the same width. Carex comans Bronze is...

From$9.95
Carex virgata grass plants in pots at The Plant Company nursery.
Carex virgata

Carex virgata, commonly known as Swamp Sedge, is a hardy New Zealand native sedge that thrives in wetlands, damp soils, and along waterways. It forms...

From$12.95
isolepsis-cernua-1
Isolepis cernua (Scirpus cernua)

Isolepis cernua (Fiber Optic Grass) is a distinctive ornamental grass prized for its fine green stems tipped with tiny white flowers that resemble...

From$16.49
Carex oshimensis 'Everillo' lime-green plants in a border garden.
Carex oshimensis 'Everillo'

Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’ is a standout ornamental sedge prized for its vivid lime yellow foliage that adds instant brightness to NZ gardens. This...

From$19.95
Dactylis glomerata plant with a cat.
Dactylis glomerata (Cat Grass)

Dactylis glomerata, commonly known as Cat Grass or Catnip Grass, is a popular grass that is loved by cats. It features flowing, green foliage held as...

From$22.01
Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.
Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

From$6.95
An elegant Miscanthus sinensis grass with cream-coloured flower plumes and lush green foliage.
Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis is an ornamental grass that grows as a clump of narrow, arching, green leaves. The colouring gives a light silver-green effect to...

From$19.95
Lomandra Green Allure plant with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra Green Allure

Lomandra Green Allure is widely used in landscaping projects across NZ. It is commonly mass planted as a ground cover or on a bank, included in...

From$19.25
Lomandra longifolia plant beside a path with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass)

Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass) is a resilient, evergreen ornamental grass native to Australia. Growing to approximately 60 cm in height and 65 cm...

From$19.25
Lomandra Tankia with lush green foliage bordering a path.
Lomandra 'Tanika'

Lomandra Tanika is a hardy, Australian Native grass that is commonly known as Mat Rush. This grass features fine, deep-green foliage and a graceful...

From$10.97
Sisyrinchium californicum plants with yellow flowers and fine, green foliage.
Sisyrinchium californicum

Sisyrinchium californicum, commonly known as the Golden Eyed Grass, is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It bears...

From$17.25
Libertia paniculata plant with white flowers.
Libertia paniculata (Grass Flag)

Libertia paniculata is an elegant evergreen perennial admired for its fine, upright foliage and delicate white flowers that appear in airy clusters...

From$16.50
Lomandra 'Echidna' grass growing as a mass planting beside a path.
Lomandra Echidna

The Lomandra Echidna grass is a tough and reliable plant with outstanding aesthetics. It features lush, mid-green foliage held upright with a gentle...

From$17.87
A large planting of Stipa gigantea (Golden Oat Grass) as a feature garden.
Stipa gigantea

Stipa gigantea (Golden Oat Grass) is a spectacular ornamental grass prized for its graceful evergreen foliage and tall airy stems topped with...

From$15.11
Carex tenuiculmis red-bronze coloured plant.
Carex tenuiculmis

Carex tenuiculmis is a NZ native, ornamental grass that features striking red-bronze foliage held with a graceful arch. It grows as a tidy clump...

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carex-blue-cascade-
Carex 'Blue Cascade' (Blue Sedge Grass)

Carex 'Blue Cascade' is a striking ornamental grass valued for its flowing blue grey foliage and graceful cascading habit. This evergreen sedge adds...

OUT OF STOCK
Carex coriacea plant in its natural environment.
Carex coriacea

Carex coriacea, commonly known as Rautahi, is a NZ native grass commonly found in swampy areas. It features slender foliage which is dark green and...

OUT OF STOCK
Carex ternaria plant growing in water.
Carex ternaria

Carex ternaria is a NZ native sedge grass commonly found in swampy areas. It features slender foliage which is dark green and held densely as it...

OUT OF STOCK
Carex geminata plant with cascading green foliage.
Carex geminata (Rautahi)

Carex geminata, commonly known as Rautahi, is a fine-leaved New Zealand native sedge that forms dense, tufted clumps up to 50 cm tall. Its slender...

OUT OF STOCK
Carex chathamica grass in a pot with green foliage and purple-red flowers.
Carex chathamica (Chatham Sedge)

Carex chathamica, commonly known as Chatham Sedge, is a NZ native grass commonly found in swampy areas. It features slender foliage which is dark...

OUT OF STOCK
Carex Brown grass.
Carex flagellifera Brown (Weeping Brown Sedge)

Carex flagellifera Brown is grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. This NZ native grass carries cascading, brown foliage as it grows to 80...

OUT OF STOCK
Carex 'Feather Falls' plants with variegated foliage in a garden.
Carex 'Feather Falls'

Carex 'Feather Falls' is a popular ornamental grass characterised by its cream and green variegated leaves. It typically grows to 30 cm tall and the...

OUT OF STOCK
Carex 'Evergold' colourful grasses in a garden.
Carex Evergold

Carex ‘Evergold’ is a compact, evergreen ornamental grass valued for its striking variegated foliage. The arching leaves are green with a...

OUT OF STOCK
Carex flagellifera Green

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Carex, or related Categories - Grasses.

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Why Choose Carex Grass Varieties?

Carex grass varieties offer year-round interest with their ever-changing hues and adaptable forms. Many species are evergreen, ensuring that your garden looks lush in every season. They thrive in a wide range of conditions, from damp stream-sides to dry slopes, and are valued for their tolerance to shade and low maintenance needs. Carex grasses are also excellent for erosion control, encouraging biodiversity, and providing attractive cover in both residential and commercial landscapes.

Popular Carex Grass Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

Explore some of the most sought-after carex grass varieties known for their unique features and reliable performance:

Carex 'Rekohu Sunrise'

This carex stands out for its bright, golden-yellow foliage edged with deep green, bringing a sense of light and vibrancy to shaded or semi-shaded positions. Carex 'Rekohu Sunrise' forms compact clumps, making it an eye-catching choice for borders or containers.

Carex 'Blue Cascade' (Blue Sedge Grass)

With graceful, arching leaves in silvery-blue tones, Carex 'Blue Cascade' (Blue Sedge Grass) is perfect for softening the edges of garden beds or water features. Its cascading habit adds movement and a cool, calming aesthetic wherever it is planted.

Carex Evergold

Cherished for its creamy-yellow striped leaves with deep green margins, Carex Evergold brings cheerful colour to shaded and partially shaded sites. This compact variety is ideal for edging pathways, tucking into rock gardens, or brightening up those difficult corners under trees.

Carex Spark Plug

Upright and narrow, Carex Spark Plug offers a more vertical accent with fine, bluish-green foliage and creamy highlights. It’s a favourite among gardeners seeking height and contrast without overpowering companion plants.

Carex 'Feather Falls'

The lush, cascading form of Carex 'Feather Falls' makes it perfect for spilling over walls, hanging baskets, or mass planting. Its long, ribbon-like leaves remain fresh-looking, even in less hospitable garden spots.

How to Grow and Care for Carex Grass Varieties

Most carex grass varieties are easy to establish and require minimal upkeep once settled. Plant them in well-drained soil—some thrive in damp ground, so check your selected species’ preference. Many varieties enjoy dappled shade but will tolerate full sun with adequate moisture. An annual tidy-up of old foliage in late winter keeps them looking their best. Their resilience, adaptability, and visual appeal make carex grasses a must-have for New Zealand gardens keen on effortless year-round beauty.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
While Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate' and Gardenia 'Veitchii' often steal the spotlight, charming plants like Olive 'Frantoio', Feijoa 'Takaka', and Sophora longicarinata (Limestone Kowhai) quietly shine in any garden.
–The Plant Company

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