Carex testacea Orange Sedge / Speckled Sedge / New Zealand Hair Sedge is arguably the most visually spectacular of all New Zealand's native sedges, and one of the most sought-after ornamental grasses in the world. A graceful evergreen perennial sedge endemic to New Zealand, it forms dense, arching mounds of fine, hair-like foliage that reach about 60 cm in height, prized above all else for its spectacular seasonal colour transformations. Long, fine-textured strands first emerge as understated olive-green, before transmuting into stunning golden-brown, copper, and burning orange highlights.
Carex Testacea
$4.50Price
Botanical Name Carex testacea Common Name Orange Sedge, Speckled Sedge, NZ Hair Sedge Family Cyperaceae Type Evergreen perennial sedge Origin Endemic to New Zealand — North, South, and Stewart Islands Natural Habitat Free-draining soils under scrub, tall forest, coastal to montane up to 1,200 m Mature Height 60–80 cm including flower stems Mature Spread 45–60 cm — dense fountain-like clump New Zealand Sun Requirements Full sun to deep shade — best colour achieved in full sun Soil Free-draining soil; tolerates a variety of soil types Flowering September to December — small brown flower spikes on gracefully drooping stems Foliage Colour Olive-green in summer; intensifying to warm coppery-orange in winter Wind Tolerance Hardy to wind and coastal exposure Frost Tolerance Hardy Drought Tolerance Good once established — drought tolerant Waterlogging Will not tolerate excessive winter wet Slug/Snail Resistance Resistant Growth Rate Medium Maintenance Very low Conservation Status Not Threatened
