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variegated carex

Variegated Carex are truly standout ornamental grasses that bring structure, texture, and colour to New Zealand gardens, courtyards, and landscapes. These eye-catching sedges feature attractive striped foliage, often in tones of creamy white, gold, or lime set against deep green blades. Variegated Carex varieties are prized for their low maintenance habits and ability to thrive in a wide range of growing conditions, from partial shade to full sun. Whether mass planted for striking drifts or tucked into pots for accent features, variegated Carex can elevate contemporary or naturalistic garden designs with ease.

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

Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

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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
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. This compact, tidy plant provides year round colour and texture, making it a reliable choice for NZ gardens. Its fresh foliage brightens shaded areas and complements modern planting schemes. Carex ‘Everlime’ is hardy, adaptable, and ideal for low maintenance borders and mass planting.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 30 cm
Spread: 30 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
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
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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Ctenanthe lubbersiana plant with yellow and green foliage.
Ctenanthe lubbersiana

Ctenanthe lubbersiana, commonly known as the Bamburanta Plant is a lush foliage plant that is commonly grown indoors as a potted plant. It features...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Peperomia clusiifolia

Peperomia clusiifolia, commonly known as the Jelly Plant, is a popular and easy to grow indoor plant. It produces short stems carrying thick and...

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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...

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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...

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Chlorophytum comosum variegatum plants growing in pots on a shelf.
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum (Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum comosum Variegatum, commonly known as the Spider Plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush and variegated foliage. It...

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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...

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Schefflera arboricola variegated

The variegated Schefflera (Schefflera arboricola Variegated) is an evergreen shrub commonly grown as a houseplant due to its attractive and...

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Chlorophytum Curly (Curly Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum Curly, commonly known as the Curly Spider Plant or Airplane plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush, variegated, and...

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Metrosideros kermadecensis 'variegata' red flowers and variegated foliage.
Metrosideros kermadecensis variegata (Variegated Pohutukawa)

Metrosideros kermadecensis 'Variegata' is a striking NZ native shrub or small tree admired for its glossy green leaves edged with creamy variegation...

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Agave americana variegata

Agave americana variegata, commonly known as the Variegated Century Plant, is a large succulent that features broad, powder-blue leaves with yellow...

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A large Calamagrostis 'Overdam' grass with elegant, variegated foliage.
Calamagrostis 'Overdam'

Calamagrostis ‘Overdam’ is a striking variegated ornamental grass that delivers elegant upright form and delicate texture to garden borders and...

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Acorus gramineus variegata plants growing in pots with green and cream foliage.
Acorus gramineus variegatus

Acorus gramineus variegatus, commonly known as Variegated Sweet Flag, is an attractive ornamental grass-like plant prized for its elegant green and...

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Liriope muscari 'Gold Banded' plants with colourful, variegated foliage and pink flowers.
Liriope 'Gold Banded' (Variegated Liriope)

Liriope 'Gold Banded' produces green leaves edged with gold, and masses of lavender coloured flowers in summer. This herbaceous perennial grows as a...

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Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' plants in pots.
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Coprosma kirkii 'Variegata' is a hardy NZ native groundcover shrub admired for its trailing habit and attractive variegated foliage of green edged...

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Senecio rowleyanus variegata (Variegated String of Pearls) with trailing foliage growing in a pot.
Senecio rowleyanus variegata

Senecio rowleyanus variegata, commonly known as the Variegated String of Pearls, is a succulent grown for its interesting, bead-like foliage. It...

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Pandorea jasminoides variegata pink flower and variegated foliage.
Pandorea jasminoides variegata

Pandorea jasminoides 'Variegata' is a climber that features light pink, trumpet-shaped flowers with a dark pink throat from spring through autumn...

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Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' plants with variegated foliage and blue flowers.
Ajuga reptans variegata

Ajuga reptans 'Variegata' is a quick-growing, ground-covering plant that features colourful leaves that are variegated green and cream. In spring, it...

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Acer Esk Sunset (Eskimo Sunset Maple)

Acer pseudoplatanus Esk Sunset, commonly known as the Eskimo Sunset Sycamore Maple, is grown for its rich and colourful foliage. The lush leaves on...

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Pittosporum eugenioides variegatum lush foliage.
Pittosporum eugenioides 'variegatum' (Variegated Tarata)

Pittosporum eugenioides Variegatum, commonly known as Variegated Tarata, features slender, dark coloured stems which bear dark green leaves with a...

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Liriope muscari 'Silver Ribbon' plants with a beautiful variegated foliage growing in a pot.
Liriope 'Silver Ribbon' (Variegated Liriope)

Liriope 'Silver Ribbon', commonly known as Variegated Lilyturf, produces arching, green leaves with a silver overtone, and striped with cream. Short...

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Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo'

Acer palmatum 'Ukigumo' is a rare and highly ornamental Japanese Maple treasured for its striking white and pink variegated foliage. Often called the...

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Cordyline australis albertii plants with variegated foliage.
Cordyline albertii

Cordyline albertii (Variegated Cabbage Tree) is a striking evergreen tree admired for its bold green leaves edged with creamy white variegation. This...

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Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge)

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

Search variegated carex

What Makes Variegated Carex Unique

The key feature of variegated Carex is their multi-tonal, striped leaves. This variegation adds visual interest throughout the year, even when many perennials fade back in winter. Popular variegated types include Carex Evergold, with its bold creamy-yellow and green stripes, and Carex 'Everlime' (Lime Grass Plant), showing off ribbon-like foliage edged in bright lime. Their tidy, arching mounds remain evergreen in most New Zealand climates, lending year-round appeal.

Best Ways to Use Variegated Carex in Your Garden

Variegated Carex excels as a border plant, edging, or groundcover, where the unique foliage pattern is on full display. These sedges fit beautifully in woodland, coastal, or modern plantings, and their versatility makes them well suited for containers. They’re also resilient enough for mass planting on banks and slopes, taming erosion and suppressing weeds. For bold colour contrasts and textural diversity, combine variegated Carex with bronze-toned Carex buchananii (Buchanans Sedge) or the rich hues of Carex flagellifera Red.

How to Grow and Care for Variegated Carex

Plant variegated Carex in well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. These grasses flourish in both sun and part shade, though in harsh afternoon sun, a little protection helps preserve their foliage colours. Water regularly until established, then these sedges are tolerant of occasional dry spells. A yearly feed with a slow-release fertiliser will keep the foliage vibrant. Pruning is simple: each spring, tidy up any old or ragged leaves to encourage fresh, healthy growth.

Explore More Carex Varieties

Beyond the classic variegated forms, the Carex family offers an incredible selection of textures and colours. For example, Carex virgata is a robust option ideal for damp borders and wetland gardens, while Carex Evergold and Carex 'Everlime' (Lime Grass Plant) provide elegant variegation. If you’re after even richer tones, include Carex flagellifera Red in your next garden project.

Find the Perfect Variegated Carex for Your Landscape

Ready to enhance your outdoor spaces with the lasting beauty of variegated Carex? Browse our curated selection of sedges and ornamental grasses to discover the perfect combination for year-round garden interest and effortless style.


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Sure, Corokia 'Geenty's Green' and Ficus Tuffi are crowd-pleasers, but Westringia brevifolia, Picea glauca Conica, and Blueberry 'Powder Blue' are quietly making a name for themselves.
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