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    • Photo of Carex elata 'Aurea' by plant lust

    Photo by plant lust

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Buy Carex elata 'Aurea'

    Also Known As

    • Carex elata 'Bowles Golden'
    • Bowles Golden Sedge

    Plant type

    perennial, grass / grass like

    size

    • H: 1'-3'
    • W: 1'-3'

    planting zones

    • 5a-10b

    3.5" | $12

    Ships USPS, based on weight/location

    Fewer than 9 at Secret Garden Growers

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    Carex elata 'Aurea' plant details

    Carex elata 'Aurea' is a deciduous or semi-evergreen perennial grass (or grassy in appearance) with chartreuse foliage. In summer chocolate and tan flowers emerge. Features grassy texture. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Carex elata 'Aurea'

    Plant type: perennial grass (or grassy in appearance)
    Plant family: cyperaceae
    Foliage: deciduous or semi-evergreen chartreuse
    Mature size: 1 FT - 3 FT - wide, 1 FT - 3 FT - tall
    Flowers: chocolate and tan blooms in summer
    Uses: border plant, container plant, woodland garden, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Carex elata 'Aurea'

    USDA Zones: 5a - 10b
    Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
    Resistant to: deer, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, clay, rich and well-drained

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    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Carex elata 'Aurea' or Bowles golden sedge is a superlative grass-like plant for sun to shade in average to moist garden soils or in containers. It grows like a golden fountain of colour and texture topped with attractive flowers in summer. Combines perfectly with blue-leaved hostas, toadlilies and ferns. Can grow quite robustly in moist to wet soils. Unlike most sedges that are evergreen, this species is herbaceous.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    A wee grass perfect for your moistest patch of garden. Native to wetlands and other perpetually damp areas across most of North America, including California, this 1’ tall sedge forms a clump of loose, arching foliage. In Summer, 15” tall flower stalks emerge topped by inconspicuous flowers that eventually form small, round fruits that turn a showy golden orange before dispersing. Plant in well-draining soil where it will receive plenty of water – near ponds, pools, or splashy fountains is perfect. Spreads slowly over time.

    By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    This arching sedge has been available for many years. But, still makes a pretty plant. The 18" plant has golden narrow arching leaves all summer. Evergreen, but best cut back in early spring.

    By: Gossler Farms

    This is a good looking grass like plant that is perfect for moister soil in sun or partial shade. Bright golden leaves thinly edged in green form clumps up to 18-30" tall with an equal spread. Great paired with Astilbes, Ferns and Rodgersia.

    By: Avant Gardens

    This beautiful sedge offers the clearest yellow of any grass, plus a courtly, rounded form. Its compact size is ideal for the rock garden or mixed border. Best of all, the coloring becomes even more brilliant in partial shade. Use it to enliven the woodland garden, or make a stunning statement by planting it with other golden foliage or with the contrasting leaves of Pulmonaria 'Roy Davidson'. Bowles Golden will become a dense stand in only a few seasons.

    By: Digging Dog Nursery

    A dense clumping winter dormant perennial sedge. Long, weeping, linear, bright yellow-green, grass-like foliage in dense tufts. In late Spring to Summer slender stalst of pendant black catkins are produced. One of the best grassy plants. Cut back to ground level in Winter. For best results provide with plenty of moisture.

    By: Zephs

    Bright golden foliage w/ green margins.

    By: Little Prince of Oregon

    This unusual little sedge from the eastern U.S. forms a nice 6-8" symmetrical mound – Fine textured – Evergreen – Woodland cutie or rock garden feature, even nice solo in a smallish pot on a side table! Sun to light shade, most soils, average moisture – collector's gem!

    By: Secret Garden Growers

    I doubt we could be without this useful, hardy, and brilliant Carex. Luminous chartreuse new spring growth thrives in sun to shade (gold in sun, chartreuse or brilliant light green in shade) and average moisture to wet soils. Try it in partial shade with Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd' (blue-green), or with Hosta 'Tokudama Flavocircinalis,' containing both light green and blue-green within the leaf) - shazam!

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Gardening facts about Carex elata 'Aurea' plant

    How to Grow Carex elata 'Aurea'

    • Sun Exposure

      • mostly sun - shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - regular

    • Soil Needs

      • clay
      • adaptable
      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • chartreuse

    • Flower Color

      • tan
      • chocolate

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant

    • Flower Season

      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous
      • semi-evergreen

    • Texture

      • grassy

    See other plant types of Carex for your garden

    Carex phyllocephala 'Sparkler'

    aka Sparkler Palm Sedge

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

    Zones

    7b-10b

    Size

    Height: 12"-24"

    Width: 12"-24"

    • mostly sun - shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Carex phyllocephala 'Sparkler' by plant lust
    View Plant

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    Carex buchananii

    aka Leatherleaf Sedge

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 12"-36"

    Width: 12"-24"

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - occasional
    Photo of Carex buchananii foliage by Stickpen
    View Plant

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    Carex platyphylla

    aka Broad-leaf Silver Sedge

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

    Zones

    4a-9b

    Size

    Height: 6"-12"

    Width: 12"-18"

    • sun - shade
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Carex platyphylla foliage, habit by Jay Sturner
    View Plant

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    Carex morrowii 'Goldband'

    aka Goldband Japanese Sedge

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Grass / Grass Like, Aquatic

    Zones

    5a-9b

    Size

    Height: 6"-12"

    Width: 12"-24"

    • sun - shade
    • even moisture
    Photo of Carex morrowii 'Goldband' by Patricia Cunningham
    View Plant

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    Carex oshimensis Evercolor® Everest PP20955

    Scientific Name: Carex oshimensis 'Fiwhite'

    aka Carex 'Carfitol', Carex oshimensis 'Everest', Carex oshimensis Evercolor 'Everest', Evercolor Everest Weeping Sedge, Everest Weeping Sedge, Silver Variegated Japanese Sedge

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Grass / Grass Like

    Zones

    5a-9b

    Size

    Height: 10"-15"

    Width: 18"-24"

    • mostly sun - shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Carex oshimensis Evercolor® Everest PP20955 foliage by Alan Lorence
    View Plant

    More Options

    +128 more Carex
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