Leatherleaf Sedge

Carex buchananii | Rating: 1 votes | Print / Pdf

Carex buchananii's leather-like fronds will look at home in a cottage garden, within containers or on a motorbike.

Leatherleaf Sedge, or to give it its Latin name, Carex buchananii, is a red-brown grass that is a good choice for adding texture and interest to a cottage garden, containers or to flowerbeds and borders. It does take a little skill to successfully grow, but is well worth the effort for something just that little bit different. It likes a lot of sunlight, so take care to locate where it can get its fill, but be aware that it doesn’t like the cold, so will need protection from the worst of the winter frosts.

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Plant
Known dangers?
  • no
Height [m]
  • 0.5 - 0.75
Spread [m]
  • 0.9
Dominant flower colour
  • Brown
Flower Fragrance
  • No, neutral please
Flowering seasons
  • Mid summer
  • Late summer
Foliage in spring
  • Brown or bronze
Foliage in summer
  • Brown or bronze
Foliage in Autumn
  • Brown or bronze
Foliage in winter
  • Brown or bronze
Propagation methods
  • seed
  • division
Growth habit
  • Arching
Environment
Acidity
  • Acidic
  • Neutral
  • Alkaline
Hardiness zone
  • Z6-9
Heat zone
  • H9-5
Winter temperatures [°C]
  • -23 - -1
Heat days
  • 30 - 150
Moisture
  • well-drained
  • well-drained but frequently watered
Soil type
  • sandy
  • Clay
  • chalky
  • loams
Sun requirements
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered
Usage
Standard category
  • Grasses, ferns & bamboo
  • Grasses
Grown for
  • Ornamental Foliage
Creative category
  • Kid Approved
  • For Beginners
  • For every season
Garden type
  • Cottage garden
  • Containers
  • City
Garden spaces
  • Flower beds
  • Borders
Gardening expertise
  • beginner
Time to reach full size
  • 2 to 5 years
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