About
Carex grayi is a tufted perennial that exhibits a grass-like appearance and produces robust, upright clumps of deep green foliage reaching lengths of up to 60 cm. Throughout the summer, it showcases mid-green flower spikes on stems that also extend to 60 cm, which are succeeded by spiky, pale green seed heads.
About the genus
Carex encompasses both deciduous and evergreen species, characterized by their rhizomatous or tufted growth habits. These perennials feature triangular stems topped with linear or strap-like foliage, and they produce spikes that can be either short or elongated, adorned with small green or brown flowers.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Poorly-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Aquatic, Bogs, Grass Like
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- E N America
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moisture-retentive soil, can be grown as a marginal or bog plant in sun or light shade. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice
- Pruning
- Cut back in the autumn as the foliage fades
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in autumn, or by division from mid-spring to early summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to a rust