Botanic Garden >> Gardening > >> Garden Articles >> About Garden

Growing Orange Sedge (Carex testacea): Copper-Hued Grass for Sun & Containers

Carex testacea (Orange Sedge) – New Zealand Native with Fiery Highlights

Pronunciation: kar'eks

This graceful sedge forms cascading mounds of fine, olive-green foliage that develops coppery-orange highlights in full sun. Hardy in Zones 7–10; treat as an annual in colder climates. Perfect for spilling over rock walls, edging ponds, or as a focal point in large containers.

Light & Water

Best color in full sun; prefers evenly moist soil—water during dry periods.

Soil & Fertilizer

Adaptable but thrives in fertile, humus-rich, moist soil with mildly acidic to neutral pH. In containers, fertilize every 2 weeks with half-strength water-soluble fertilizer.

Pests & Companions

No notable pests or diseases. Combines beautifully with summer/fall-blooming perennials at the front of borders or in mixed annual containers.

About Garden: Hop Sedge (Carex lupulina): A Versatile Wetland Plant for Erosion Control; Carex divulsa: Berkeley Sedge for Tough Sites; Carex plantaginea: Seersucker Sedge for Texture; Growing Mock Orange (Philadelphus) for Fragrant June Blooms; Shortbeak Sedge (Carex brevior): A Tough, Low-Maintenance Lawn Alternative; Sprengel's Sedge: A Tough, Adaptable Native for Sun or Shade; Orange New Zealand Sedge – Orange-Brown Foliage Accent; Orange New Zealand Sedge – Green Base, Orange-Brown Foliage, Winter Color; Growing Citrus Indoors: Why Seed-Grown Oranges Rarely Fruit; 25-Year-Old Container Orange Tree: A Citrus Success Story

Garden Articles

Growing an Orange Tree from Seed: Hybrid Variability Warning

Japanese Sedge 'Evergold' (Carex hachijoensis 'Evergold')

Orange New Zealand Sedge (Carex testacea): Glowing Copper-Orange Foliage

Blue Sedge 'Blue Zinger' (Carex flacca): Intense Blue Foliage for Groundcover

Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance': Variegated Sedge for Year-Round Interest

Sedges: The Miracle Lawn Alternative for Every Garden Condition

Great Design Plant: Bristleleaf Sedge (Carex eburnea) for Tough Shade

Plants

Growing Bonsai: Patience, Wiring, and Essential Supplies

Growing Vegetables at Home: A Beginner's Roadmap

Growing Alyssum: Low-Growing Annual for Edging and Rock Gardens

Growing Anchusa: Charming Old World Bloomers

Growing Angelica: Biennial Herb for Sun or Shade

Growing Artemisia (Wormwood)

Growing Astilboides (Giant Shield Leaf)