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CarexTestacea[KAR - eks , psychometric test - uh - SEE - uh ] is a deciduous evergreen tufted perennial from the sedge or graminoid familyCyperaceae .
This archingornamental grassis a New Zealand indigen , take in the coarse name New Zealand Orange Sedge .
Image: chuck b. [CC BY 2.0],via Wikimedia Commons
The orangish part comes from the coppery - dark-brown to orange foliage color in the arching leave of absence .
It is a clopping forage valuable for its year - long entreaty .
This particular garden works comes from a rich genus with more than 2000 metal money .
In fact , there is a separate survey dedicate to theCarexgenus known as “ Caricology ” .
Carex Testacea Plant Care
Size & Growth
New Zealand sedge is a cold - hardy plant life . It is a mound plant life type , producing cascade down minute Olea europaea - green farewell .
The Carex leaves are elementary and alternative , analogue with margins and parallel venous blood system .
Under the right circumstance , testacea grows to a height of 18”- 24 ” inch tall with an as wide and dense spread .
Modern growth appears from rhizomes at a medium growth pace .
Flowering and Fragrance
Carex is not particularly know for its flowers .
In the right USDA geographical zone , these plants bring on brown heyday spikes .
The bloom sentence is in early summertime . These invisible flowers are deliver on radical which droop as the plant historic period .
The flower color conflate well the green to coppery foliage color .
Light & Temperature
These plants are fearless to USDA Hardiness Zones 4 - 12 .
They love and turn well under the full sun but also tolerate partial nicety .
The location you choose should get at least 6 hour of sunshine in the daylight .
Orange sedges are recognize for keeping a year - retentive solicitation and wintertime interest .
You just have to make indisputable there is not too much moisture in the soil in colder atmospheric condition .
Watering and Feeding
The orange sedge loves evenly moist territory , and needs piss regularly . piddle more frequently in desiccant climates .
On the other paw , do n’t piddle too often in the winter as they will not digest excessive wet in the wintertime .
These plants hock up nutrient from the territory , making a well - enfeeble humus - rich soil preferable .
Fertilizing is not necessary for orange sedges planted in the ground .
For container - grown Carex order Testacea plants , add a water - soluble fertilizer at half strength during the maturate season .
prey no more than every 2 weeks .
Soil & Transplanting
As for soils , orange sedges thrive successfully in well - drain but moist soils .
They are drouth patient of but need dirt intermixture with good moisture holding .
Use sandy , calcareous , loamy or clayey grease with good fertility .
As for transplanting , these pasture grow by spread their rhizome body structure .
Divide in former summertime and plant at the same deepness as they were before .
Grooming and Maintenance
Once the plant is install and growing in the garden or a container , there is short to no upkeep postulate .
The bloom do n’t require to be deadheaded as they are not gaudy .
The only pruning it involve is the remotion of idle , dried or yellowing leave in the summertime .
interrelate : Caring For And spring up Leucadendron Plants
How to Propagate Orange New Zealand Sedge
To propagateCarex Testaceafrom seeded player , sow in in containers in a stale frame in other spring .
When the seedling are substantial enough to be wield , move them to their lasting positioning .
Or divide rootstock in early summertime .
transfer the divisions immediately in the expanse you want them growing in the garden .
The recommend spacing between plants should be approximately 15 ” inches apart .
They are best planted in groups of 3 - 10 plants , particularly when used as primer coat covers .
Orange New Zealand Sedge Plant Pest or Diseases
This plant is generally disease and pest free . You do n’t have to worry about using chemical substance - laden sprays and take disease - ridden flora from your garden .
However , in some area , orange sedge is susceptible todamage from aphids .
Fortunately , aphids are relatively wanton to get free of . You will ordinarily see an aphid plague with the naked eye .
Non - pesticide ascendency of aphids includes introducing natural aphid predators such as lady beetle andlacewing larvae .
If the plague is minimal , spray the unnatural leaves or stems with cold water or neem crude sprays .
If the problem persists , visit your local nursery or gardening center for pesticide options .
The grass - like plant is cervid resistant too .
Carex Testacea Plant Uses
Orange sedge , along with cultivars such as theCarex Testacea‘prairie fervour ’ , is pop with its striking foliation color when planted in containers or the landscape painting .
They are enceinte for mass planting as groundcovers and in part shade near pond and stream .
It is also used for edge flower beds and garden borders , adding fall color .
Orange New Zealand sedge is also beautiful as an accent plant life in bank and gradient along with coastal and cottage garden .
They also do well as potted specimens , append texture to establish combinations .
Mix them with annuals or interplant with summer and fall perennials to bring in interest to molding fronts .
