Sedge (Carex comans 'Frosted Curls')
Carex comans 'Frosted Curls' Sedge offers silvery, curling foliage. Hardy in Zones 7-10, this medium-maintenance grass provides cascading texture.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Carex comans ‘Frosted Curls’ Sedge is highly valued in contemporary landscapes for its distinctive, weeping habit and unique foliage coloration. This evergreen perennial creates dense tussocks of thin, hair-like leaves that exhibit a silvery green or frosted blue tint, providing year-round visual interest. As a relatively compact Sedge, Carex comans ‘Frosted Curls’ thrives when allowed to cascade, making it an excellent choice for softening hard edges or spilling over walls. While the flowers are not ornamental highlights, the strong textural presence of this New Zealand hair sedge is indispensable for adding movement and contrast to garden beds.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Cyperaceae
- Plant Type: Rush or Sedge
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 7-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-2 ft
- Spread: 1-2 ft
- Bloom Time: June to July
- Bloom Description: Green-brown flowers
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
For optimal performance, establish Carex comans ‘Frosted Curls’ in organically rich, well-drained soil. Although this Sedge is generally easily grown, maintaining consistently moist conditions is crucial, especially when sited in full sun. Planting is best handled in spring or fall, allowing the roots to establish before extreme summer heat or winter cold arrives.
Watering requirements trend toward a medium level. If planted in sunny locations, be diligent about providing consistent moisture; however, this variety tolerates occasional standing water, making it suitable near water features. Fertilization is rarely necessary if the soil is organically rich.
Maintenance for this Sedge is straightforward. To keep the foliage looking fresh, clip the leaves back to about 4–5 inches from the ground in late winter or very early spring before new growth begins. For moisture retention during summer and root protection during cold snaps, apply a layer of root mulch around the base. Plants will slowly naturalize via rhizomes and self-seeding under ideal conditions.
Landscape Uses
The texture and cascading habit of Carex comans ‘Frosted Curls’ make it versatile for numerous landscape applications. This Sedge thrives when massed or planted in broad groups, providing an excellent transitional element along stream margins or the edges of water gardens. It works beautifully in part-shade areas within woodland garden settings where its silvery foliage contrasts well with darker green plantings.
Due to its ability to slowly spread, it functions effectively as a ground cover, softening pathways and slopes where its arching leaves can drape attractively. Consider planting Carex comans ‘Frosted Curls’ in rock gardens or alpine settings, or use it as a dramatic spiller in large clay containers, allowing the frosted foliage to tumble over the sides.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Insignificant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Carex comans, commonly called New Zealand hair sedge, is an evergreen perennial sedge that typically grows in a dense weeping clump of thin (1/16” wide), hair-like leaves to 12-24” tall. It is native to New Zealand where it typically grows as a common pasture weed. Specific epithet from Latin means resembling a head of hair. ‘Frosted Curls’ is a more compact cultivar that grows to 12” tall and features curling pale silvery green to frosted blue foliage with silvery tips. It is particularly effective when planted on slopes, in containers or in other places where its foliage can cascade.
Tolerances
- Tolerant of occasional standing water.
Potential Problems
This plant generally encounters no serious insect or disease problems, contributing to its ease of care. Good cultivation practices, such as ensuring well-drained soil and appropriate moisture levels, will prevent most cultural issues. Avoid deep shade, as this can compromise the plant’s vigor and foliage quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Sedge suitable for?
Carex comans ‘Frosted Curls’ is hardy in USDA Zones 7 through 10.
How large does Carex comans ‘Frosted Curls’ grow?
This cultivar typically reaches a mature height between 1 and 2 feet tall, with a similar spread of 1 to 2 feet.
What sun exposure does Sedge need?
This Sedge performs best when sited in full sun to part shade conditions. Remember that plants in full sun will require more consistent moisture.
When does Carex comans ‘Frosted Curls’ bloom?
Bloom time for this Sedge occurs from June to July, producing unshowy, green-brown flowers.
Conclusion
Offering captivating, weeping silvery foliage, Carex comans ‘Frosted Curls’ is an exceptional textural element for modern or naturalistic gardens. Its easy-care nature and tolerance for moist soil make this Sedge a reliable performer in various settings. Before planting, confirm that your local USDA hardiness zone falls within the 7 to 10 range to ensure its year-round success.
Companion Planting
When selecting partners for Carex comans ‘Frosted Curls’, focus on species that share its preference for consistent moisture and can complement its fine texture. Hostas, ferns, and Astilbes thrive in similar partial shade conditions, offering broad leaves that contrast beautifully with the fine blades of the Sedge. For sunny, moist margins, look toward moisture-loving perennials like Ligularia or Iris varieties that won’t outcompete the spreading habit of the Carex.
Design Ideas
The primary strength of the ‘Frosted Curls’ cultivar lies in its ability to introduce movement and a soft, airy feel. Use it in drifts along the edge of a pond or dry creek bed to blur hard lines between stone and planting areas. In contemporary designs, mass planting containers filled with this Sedge provides an architectural yet soft foundation, particularly effective when placed near hardscaping where the foliage can spill naturally.
