Carex comans Amazon Mist - Sedge

Carex comans 'Amazon Mist', unusual and attractive, is a grass-like plant whose appearance evokes that of a small round animal hidden under a dense, but well-groomed mane, with its silver reflections playing with the light. Its very fine foliage is decorative all year round, even in winter if the frost is not too severe. A perennial with a tufted base, this non-invasive groundcover adds character to contemporary or wild landscapes and can easily be grown in pots and containers. The plant readily self-seeds wherever it pleases in light soils.

Carex comans is a grass-like plant native to New Zealand, particularly the Stewart Islands, where it can be found in open woodlands and forest edges, growing in well-drained soils, coastal areas, and up to subalpine meadows. It belongs to the Cyperaceae family.

'Amazon Mist' is a variety often confused with Carex Frosted Curls: the tips of the leaves, dried by frost, tend to curl, as in the latter. However, its foliage is lighter and does not turn rusty in cold weather. The long, very thin, linear leaves, 40 cm (16in) long, are strongly arched. They form a dense and regular fountain, 30-40cm (12-16in) tall and 45-50cm (18-20in) in diameter. Their colour is a green tinged with white-cream, with a very light reverse, shining with silver reflections. The foliage will persist more or less depending on the severity of the winter. The flowers appear in June and July and are brownish-red but of little ornamental interest. They give way to seeds that readily self-seed.

The relatively hardy and undemanding Carex Amazon Mist thrives in the sun and adapts to many growing conditions, but dislikes waterlogged soils. Plant it in a sheltered position, above a rockery or wall, so that the foliage can cascade as it pleases. For example, combine it with grey-blue foliage such as Heuchera 'Green Spice', Stachys byzantina 'Big Ears', and Origanum 'Rosenkuppel'. The acid green flowers of euphorbias (Euphorbia myrsinites), the small purple pompoms of ornamental garlic, and the corollas of poppies will enhance the brilliance of its cool-toned foliage. Resourceful gardeners can also create unique displays with this carex, for example, several pots of cultivated Carex Amazon Mist attached at different levels to a wooden structure. At the base of this structure, some annuals like marigolds, red salvias, purple morning glories, and many others can be arranged.