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
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 Planting Tips: Prepare the planting site when soil is moist and easily worked. Remove all weeds and incorporate bark compost or other organic material. For heavy soils, incorporate extra topsoil and coarse pumice sand to improve drainage. Plant when the soil is moist and warm in autumn or early spring, so that a good root system develops. Space plants approximately 45–60 cm apart so that the clumps just touch each other when mature, creating a full effect without overcrowding.
Ideal Uses: Borders, mass plantings, and rock gardens. Excellent for colour contrast and architectural texture. Works beautifully in coastal, contemporary, and native gardens, and is suitable for public parks, residential gardens, and streetscapes. Also outstanding in containers, as an edging plant, on banks and slopes, and near ponds or water features where its glowing foliage can be reflected.
Ongoing Care: Carex grow well in most free-draining positions and require little fertiliser — a light application in spring as new growth begins is sufficient. Mulch annually to suppress weeds and conserve moisture. All Carex species benefit from removing dead leaves once or twice a year. Propagate easily from fresh seed or by division of established plants — divide clumps in early summer for best results.
