Carex morrowii Irish Green

Carex morrowii 'Irish Green', also known as Japanese Sedge, is a low-growing grass-like plant that stands out with its evergreen foliage, which is a very bright green with bluish reflections. This perennial forms a graceful clump, both erect and trailing, with a flexible appearance. Its summer flowering is in the form of small white-cream spikes that turn brown with age. It is a hardy and robust plant, which will grow among the roots of trees in shaded areas. It should be planted in neutral to acidic soil, preferably moist to wet, even in dense shade.

Carex morrowii 'Irish Green' is a sedge belonging to the large Cyperaceae family. It is native to Japan. This small grass with short rhizomes forms a soft clump with a compact, erect, and trailing habit, reaching about 35cm (14in) in all directions. Its evergreen leaves are arched, sheathing at the base, about 3mm (1in) wide and approximately 40cm (16in) long. Their edges are tapered and their tips drooping. They have a particularly shiny medium green colour with bluish reflections when backlit. In July-August, short cream spikes measuring 2 to 4cm (1 to 2in) appear among the foliage on thin stems about 35cm (14in) tall. At maturity, they turn brown.

'Irish Green' is a small 'herb' with refined foliage and a minimalist style, which will form a dense bouquet of foliage in shady areas, covering the ground and discouraging weeds. It can be paired with Milium effusum 'Aureum', Geranium vivace 'Czackor', or even Vinca 'Atropurpurea'. It does not require the presence of another plant by its side, but it will bring lightness to the lush foliage of rodgersias, the fronds of ferns, and also pairs well with colourful heucheras. As this grass-like plant prefers moist to wet soils, it will naturally find its place in water gardens, among moss-covered stones arranged on banks or at the edge of a water feature, where it will contribute to soil stabilisation. It can also be placed along the edges of perennial borders. For a beautiful wild effect, plant it en masse in contemporary or rustic gardens.