Carex testacea 'Prairie Fire'
orange New Zealand sedge 'Prairie Fire'
A dense, tufted, evergreen perennial grass with narrow bright green strap-like leaves tipped with bright orange. The foliage turns a darker orange in the autumn with brown flower spikes appearing in the summer. A versatile grass providing colour and interest througout the year.
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Orange | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown | Green Orange | ||
| Autumn | Orange | |||
| Winter | Green Orange |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Cyperaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Tufted, Bushy
- Genus
Carex can be deciduous or evergreen, rhizomatous or tufted perennials, with triangular stems bearing linear or strap-shaped leaves and short or long spikes of tiny green or brown flowers
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Easy to grow in most well-drained fertile soils. Will not tolerate excessive winter wet and avoid extremes of wet and dry
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in spring or by division in early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Architectural
- Patio and container plants
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
If required, can be cut back by half from April to July. Do not prune in autumn or winter
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.