Japanese sedge Interesting Notes

A bright addition to the shade palette, Carex ‘Silver Sceptre’ is a brightly variegated showy sedge with narrow white edged leaves growing to 12” in height. Providing a fine texture to break up the more dense appearance in a shady spot of the garden, it’s wonderful in a border, in drifts, in a container, or as punctuation marks here and there.

Carex ‘Silver Sceptre’ original species is unknown but it comes from Japan and is adaptable to a wide range of soils and thrives in part shade to full shade. This sedge spreads slowly by rhizomes and is quite drought tolerant once established. Propagate by division of clumps every few years. To maintain tidy appearance, cut foliage to the ground in early spring before new growth occurs. It can tolerate higher levels of light if consistent moisture is provided.

Introduced in 1999 by Plant Delights, this carex comes from Dr. Yokoi of Japan by way of UK grass collector Roger Grounds. Rated to be one of the best and hardiest variegated evergreen sedges on the market by University of Minnesota’s trial programs, this plant has stood the test of time and is still a crowd favorite after all these years. Truly garden-worthy!

Carex 'Silver Sceptre' Growing and Maintenance Tips

Adaptable to a wide range of soils, this sedge spreads slowly by rhizomes and is quite drought tolerant once established. Propagate by division of clumps every few years. Cut foliage to the ground in early spring before new growth occurs. Use in containers, or as a slowly spreading groundcover in the shade and rock garden.

Good Substitutions

Carex dolichostachya Gold Fountains™ 'Kaga-nishiki'

Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance'

Carex oshimensis 'Evergold'