Botanical name:

Carex tenuiculmis

Common name(s):

Slender wine sedge

About:

Formally known as Carex secta var. tenuiculmis, C. tenuiculmis is characterised by its smaller size compared to C. secta, featuring narrower leaves and a distinctive red to bronze hue. While this plant thrives in sunny, consistently moist environments, it can endure exceptionally dry conditions; however, it is important to note that it will not thrive in such locations.

Natural habitat:

A sedge of lowland to montane slow flowing stream sides, lake margins, tarns, ponds and associated wetland vegetation. This species usually grows in association with other carex’s & it also does not like tall vegetation.

Growing environment:

Sun, Wetland & Wind tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s South, Stewart and Chatham Islands (both Chatham (Rekohu) and Pitt Islands)

Height: 50cm

Flowering:

November - December

Fruiting:

January - May

Uses:

Riparian plantings.

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed and by the division of established plants. A very attractive species now commonly seen in cultivation, though it is often sold incorrectly by commercial garden centres as Carex ternaria Boott which it doesn’t evenly remotely resemble!

** 4 – 6 weeks cold stratification is recommended