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carex varieties nz

Carex varieties NZ are celebrated for their versatility, resilience, and striking presence in New Zealand gardens and landscapes. As ornamental grasses native to Aotearoa, carex species bring texture, colour, and movement to a wide range of outdoor spaces—from coastal gardens and wetlands to modern city landscapes and low-maintenance rockeries. Whether you're looking for a vibrant ground cover, a border accent, or a lush feature plant, there's a carex variety perfectly suited to your garden's conditions and style needs.

Carex buchananii with lush brown foliage growing as a specimen plant in a rock garden.

Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

5 from 2 customers

Carex buchananii, commonly known as Leatherleaf Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass-like plant with delicate, upright, copper-bronze foliage that curls at the tips. It forms graceful clumps up to 60 cm tall and wide, adding colour and texture to gardens year-round. This sedge thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. Tolerant of wind, coastal conditions, and light frost, it is perfect for borders, mass planting, and low-maintenance landscapes.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
Orange foliage on Carex testacea.

Carex testacea

5 from 4 customers

Carex testacea, commonly known as Orange Sedge, is a striking New Zealand native grass admired for its fine, arching foliage that turns a brilliant orange and copper tone, especially in full sun. This hardy evergreen sedge adds year round texture and colour to gardens and landscapes. Adaptable and low maintenance, Orange Sedge is perfect for mass planting, borders, and modern designs, bringing warmth and movement to NZ gardens.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native
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$26.33
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$15.53
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$13.43
Carex solandri grass in a NZ native planting.

Carex solandri

Carex solandri is a NZ native, ornamental grass that features attractive, dark green foliage. The foliage emerges upright and develops a gentle and...

From$13.43
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...

From$15.53
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$13.43
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...

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Carex 'Everlime' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Carex 'Everlime' (Lime Grass Plant)

Carex ‘Everlime’ (Japanese Sedge) is a popular evergreen sedge valued for its graceful arching green foliage edged with bright lime cream margins...

From$26.33
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$10.13
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$15.53
Carex secta plants growing as a border garden in a commercial car park.

Carex secta (Swamp Sedge)

Carex secta, commonly known as Pukio, is a striking New Zealand native sedge admired for its large, tussock forming habit and golden green foliage...

From$15.53
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$13.43
sorbus-scarlet-king-

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King (Rowan Tree NZ)

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King is a variety of the commonly known, Mountain Ash, and is a small-sized, deciduous with impressive characteristics...

From$343.89
Metrosideros excelsa (Pohutukawa) specimen tree with masses of red flowers in a coastal location.

Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as Pōhutukawa or the New Zealand Christmas Tree, is a coastal evergreen renowned for its brilliant red flowers...

From$26.93
Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Carex Metrosideros and Sorbus, or related Categories - Grasses Deciduous Trees and Evergreen Trees.

Search carex varieties nz

Why Choose Carex Varieties for NZ Gardens?

Carex varieties NZ are renowned for their adaptability and low-maintenance requirements. They thrive in a diverse range of soil types and moisture levels. Their resistance to pests and diseases make them an ideal choice for both novice gardeners and landscape professionals. These native sedges flourish in both full sun and partially shaded positions, contributing year-round structure paired with attractive foliage in copper, gold, green, and bronze tones. The adaptability and beauty of carex varieties ensure they play a starring role in sustainable, eco-friendly gardens—supporting local wildlife and helping to prevent soil erosion on slopes and wetlands.

Popular Carex Varieties to Grow in NZ

There is a broad selection of carex varieties NZ, each with unique characteristics and uses:

Carex 'Rekohu Sunrise'

A standout choice for gardeners wanting an easy-care, hardy grass with vibrant golden-green foliage. Carex 'Rekohu Sunrise' forms neat, upright clumps and adds a touch of sunshine to borders and mass plantings. It's drought-tolerant once established and brings dynamic colour contrast to mixed garden beds.

Carex testacea

Celebrated for its copper-orange tones, Carex testacea is a favourite in coastal or contemporary gardens. This New Zealand native sedge sways gracefully in the wind, making it a lovely choice along pathways, driveways, or as a ground cover in difficult, exposed sites where other plants might fail.

Carex tenuiculmis

With its fine, blue-green foliage, Carex tenuiculmis adds textural interest and a sense of lightness to damp sites and pond surrounds. This variety is often chosen for rain gardens and boggy areas, but also looks beautiful mass-planted in garden beds or under trees.

Carex flagellifera Brown (Weeping Brown Sedge)

Carex flagellifera Brown (Weeping Brown Sedge) offers cascading bronze foliage that brings dramatic effect to rock gardens or large containers. Its weeping habit softens hard landscapes and provides an appealing foliage contrast when planted alongside other natives.

Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

Much-loved for its rich brown tones and upright, tufted habit, Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge) is perfect for creating texture and structure in mass-plantings, banks, and erosion-prone areas. Its unique colour adds warmth and depth to mixed grass plantings and perennial borders.

How to Care for Carex Varieties in NZ

Most carex varieties NZ enjoy well-drained soils and appreciate a mulch in spring to keep roots cool and protected. Trim back old or damaged leaves as new growth emerges for a tidy appearance. These reliable sedges rarely need fertilising and are generally robust against wind and salt, making them a must-have for exposed and coastal garden sites.

Whether you're designing a native landscape, seeking structure by a pond, or looking for reliable, easy-care greenery, carex varieties NZ offer a diverse palette of form, colour, and function for New Zealand gardeners year-round. Explore the potential of these remarkable native grasses to transform your outdoor spaces naturally and beautifully.


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–The Plant Company

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