About
Carex testacea 'Prairie Fire' is a compact, clump-forming perennial grass characterized by its slender, vibrant green leaves that feature distinctive bright orange tips. As autumn approaches, the foliage deepens to a richer orange hue, while brown flower spikes emerge during the summer months. This adaptable grass offers visual appeal across all seasons.
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
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Grass Like, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Tufted, Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Architectural, Patio and container plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Easy to grow in most well-drained fertile soils. Will not tolerate excessive winter wet and avoid extremes of wet and dry
- Pruning
- If required, can be cut back by half from April to July. Do not prune in autumn or winter
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in spring or by division in early summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free