Glen Murray tussock
Carex flagellifera · Cyperaceae
📷 Ewen Cameron · CC BY 4.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant glen murray tussock: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Bronze Carex
- Family
- Cyperaceae
- Type
- Ornamental grass
- Foliage
- Evergreen, bronze to copper
- Flowering
- May to June
- Adult height
- Approximately 60 cm
- Hardiness
- Good, down to -12 °C
- Origin
- New Zealand
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
This colorful foliage carex wants fresh, well-drained soil: neither too dry nor waterlogged. Partial shade preserves the bronze-reddish tints better than scorching full sun.
The common mistake
Planting in scorching sun with dry soil: the leaves brown and curl up.
The pro's trick
Divide every 3 years in spring to multiply and revitalize the clump.
Care
Light Requirements
Carex flagellifera prefers partial shade to full sun exposure. In warm climates, choose light partial shade to preserve the intensity of the bronze coloration. Insufficient light can fade the characteristic tints of this grass.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year to establish a good root system. Afterwards, the plant tolerates moderate drought but prefers slightly moist soil during the growing season. Reduce watering in winter.
Soil
Plant your Carex in well-drained soil, even poor or gravelly soil. It adapts to many soil types but fears prolonged waterlogging. Adding sand or gravel improves drainage if your soil is compact.
Pruning and Cleaning
Trim the dried foliage in late winter or early spring, before growth resumes. Use hedge shears or a comb to remove dead parts without damaging new shoots. This operation rejuvenates the clump and makes it denser.
Fertilizing
Light annual fertilization in spring is sufficient. Apply a balanced, low-dose fertilizer or well-decomposed compost. Avoid excess nitrogen, which would promote excessive growth at the expense of coloration.
Diseases and Pests
Carex flagellifera is generally robust and rarely subject to disease. Excessive moisture can occasionally cause root rot. In case of waterlogging, improve drainage and reduce watering.
Did you know?
Carex flagellifera gets its specific name 'flagellifera' from its drooping, undulating habit, which evokes long, supple whips. This New Zealand grass became popular in Europe from the 1990s onwards, bringing an exotic and architectural dimension to contemporary gardens, particularly in contrasting texture combinations.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Blue sedgeCarex panicea
- Spring sedgeCarex caryophyllea
- Pendulous sedgeCarex pendula
- Bird's-foot SedgeCarex ornithopoda
- Gray's sedgeCarex grayi
- Strict sedgeCarex stricta
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.