Broad-leaved Sedge 'Variegata'

This is a distinctive and slowly-creeping deciduous sedge that looks more like a hosta or a miniature bamboo than a typical grass. Its primary appeal lies in its broad, strap-shaped leaves which are heavily striped with creamy-white and bright green. In early spring, the new shoots often emerge with a delicate flush of pink, adding extra interest at a time when the garden is waking up. It is a fantastic plant for the front of a shaded border or for use as a decorative groundcover in woodland gardens. Unlike many other sedges, it is deciduous and disappears completely in the winter, only to return with fresh, vibrant growth in April. It prefers cool, moist, and humus-rich soil in partial to full shade; in too much sun, the white parts of the leaves may scorch. It is a reliable and hardy plant that adds a bright, tropical feel to the shadier parts of the garden. It is also well-suited to growing in pots on a shaded patio.

Sun: Partial shade to full shade.

Soil: Moist, humus-rich loam or clay.

Hardiness: H7 — below −20°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.