Carex montana

Carex montana, or mountain sedge, is a perennial tufted plant with short rhizomes, forming a beautiful compact clump of evergreen, slender, trailing leaves that are pale-green turning yellow. Its subtle bi-coloured dark brown spikes opening into cream-coloured bristly hairs resemble small inflorescences of bullrush. It is native to mountainous regions, growing on the edges of warm and dry woods and meadows, mainly in limestone soil. It is a very hardy ground cover perennial, perfect for shaded borders. It even suits dry and limestone beds!

Mountain sedge likes dry meadows and edges and clearings of forests. It tolerates freezing temperatures very well (down to -23°C (1-9.4°F)) and adapts to any type of soil in partial shade. The stump does not spread much, forming a compact clump 20cm (8in) high and 30cm (12in) wide. This evergreen sedge retains its beautiful slender and light foliage in winter. It can tolerate full sun exposure if planted in soil that remains moist.

Carex montana is a border plant or ground cover in a natural garden, forming a verdant carpet in the less exposed corners of the garden. It will be perfectly comfortable near a small pond or stream, as long as the soil remains moist without being waterlogged. Tolerating the competition of tree roots, it can also be planted in groups of 5 to 10 specimens on the edge of moist woodlands. This sedge will form unique and very decorative ground cover. It can be planted with other ground cover plants that appreciate the same environments, such as small ferns (Polypodium), hostas, other small carex, saxifrages, and Ophiopogon.