Carex testacea 'Prairie Fire'

Description: Carex testacea 'Prairie Fire' is a stunning evergreen ornamental sedge prized for its warm copper-bronze to bronze-red foliage that intensifies during autumn and winter months. Unlike deciduous ornamental grasses, this evergreen perennial maintains its striking colour and graceful arching form year-round, delivering consistent garden interest across all seasons. The compact, tufted clump-forming habit creates neat, self-contained plantings that require minimal maintenance. Native to New Zealand, it has proven remarkably hardy and reliable in South England gardens, thriving in both full sun and partial shade with excellent drought tolerance once established. The narrow, arching leaves create a soft, textural quality that softens hard landscaping and complements both contemporary and traditional garden designs. Its versatility makes it equally at home in containers, patio pots, garden borders, and ground cover plantings. The sedge attracts beneficial garden insects and bees, supporting local wildlife whilst adding visual warmth to the garden throughout the year.

Other benefits: evergreen, borders, containers, groundcover, ground-cover

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 0.5m x 0.6m

Position: full sun to partial shade

Winter hardiness: cold hardy to -5°C