Slender Wine Sedge

Botanical name: Carex tenuiculmis
Synonyms: Carex secta var. tenuiculmis
Common name(s): Slender wine sedge

About:
A highly ornamental wetland sedge with distinctive wine-red to reddish-bronze foliage. Forming elegant tussocks without the raised trunk characteristic of Carex secta, it is prized for its rich colour, fine texture and graceful drooping flower spikes. Although naturally uncommon, it has become increasingly popular in cultivation.

Natural habitat:
Margins of slow-flowing streams, ponds, tarns, lakes and wetlands from lowland to montane environments.

Growing environment:
Prefers permanently damp to wet soils in full sun but will tolerate partial shade and surprisingly dry conditions once established. Best performance occurs where soil moisture is consistent.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found in the South Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands, including both Chatham Island (Rekohu) and Pitt Island.

Height:
250–800 mm tall

Width:
Forms medium-sized tussocks up to 800 mm wide.

Flowering:
November – December

Fruiting:
January – May

Uses:

• Wetland restoration
• Riparian planting
• Pond and lake margins
• Rain gardens
• Native landscaping
• Feature foliage planting
• Biodiversity enhancement
• Container growing

Appearance:

Growth habit:
Tussock-forming sedge with short spreading rhizomes and an elegant arching habit. Unlike Carex secta, it does not form elevated trunk-like bases.

Leaves:
Soft, channelled foliage coloured deep wine-red, reddish-bronze, red-green or burgundy. Leaves are narrow, arching and finely roughened along the margins and keel.

Flowers:
Produces slender spike-like inflorescences that are usually unbranched or only lightly branched near the base, creating a graceful pendulous effect.

Fruit:
Forms light brown utricles with prominent cream-coloured winged margins and small light-brown seeds dispersed by wind and animals.

Ecology:
A naturally uncommon component of wetland ecosystems where it grows amongst other native sedges in open habitats. It prefers sites free from tall competing vegetation and contributes to wetland diversity and habitat structure.

Associated habitats:
Wetlands, swamps, stream margins, pond edges, tarns, lake shores, seepages and open wetland communities.

How to grow:
Plant in full sun or light shade in consistently moist soil. Ideal for wetlands, rain gardens and pond margins. Although capable of surviving dry periods, plants remain healthiest and most colourful when soil moisture is maintained.

Propagation:
Readily propagated from fresh seed and by division of established tussocks. Seed benefits from 4–6 weeks of cold stratification before sowing.

Cultural use:
Part of New Zealand’s indigenous wetland flora and valued for its distinctive colour and ecological role within southern wetland ecosystems.

Garden value:
One of New Zealand’s finest coloured sedges. Its rich wine-red foliage, elegant form and adaptability make it an outstanding feature plant for wetlands, contemporary landscapes and native gardens where year-round colour and texture are desired.