Easy-Care Easy on the Eye

This article was first published on 14 Jul 2017.

Gardening can be a source of joy and relaxation – but not if the pressure of keeping a well-maintained garden adds stress to our lives. These days many people want gardens that establish quickly, look good all year round, and pretty much take care of themselves.

Native plantings are often favoured because they attract wildlife, look natural, and are generally well-suited to local conditions. Garden retailers know this and usually have a range of plants that will fit the bill.

One genus of easy-care plants you are almost sure to find in your local garden store is Carex. There are over 100 native species of these grass-like plants, many of them handsome and useful garden subjects. Most come from open, wet environments so are best suited to moist spots in the garden but each species has a range of tolerances meaning there is a Carex for almost all garden situations.

Carex will cover the ground quickly, supressing weeds, and are very easy to divide or grow from seed. The only maintenance they need is a yearly comb-through with your fingers to remove old flowering stems and make way for fresh new growth. Mass plant them for best effect.

There is a range of Carex species planted throughout the native collection at Dunedin Botanic Garden. We like to test each species’ horticultural tolerances by trying them out in different spots, combining them with other native shrubs or ground covers to explore the diversity of colour, texture and form.

Garden Life is produced by Dunedin Botanic Garden. For further information contact Kate Caldwell.