5 Carex to grow in pots

Carex buchananii with copper-brown foliage

Not all Carex are green and they can display less common colours (notably, there are variegated carex, which are also highly appreciated by gardeners).

A grass that can be easily recognised by its evergreen foliage ranging from brown to russet, Carex buchananii is quite light in appearance, bringing brightness to a terrace. Native to New Zealand, it prefers cool, well-drained, rich soil. As it needs to be sheltered from wind and sun, pot planting is ideal: you can easily move it to protect it from changing weather conditions.

Carex buchananii accompanied by a Bergenia

You will also appreciate the evolution of this carex throughout the months of the year: when young, the leaves tend to stand upright. Then, with age, these long cylindrical blades begin to droop. A spectacle you won’t tire of day after day!

To accompany this carex, choose a small Bergenia with white flowers like ‘Bressingham White’ or with Erysimum in red or orange tones such as the varieties ‘Winter Passion’ and ‘Rysi Copper’, or a spurge ‘Redwing Charam’.

Carex oshimensis ‘Everest’, a beautiful bicolour grass

Depending on its exposure, Carex oshimensis ‘Everest’ can reveal evergreen, blue-green foliage with more or less defined white margins, creating a contrast that is both aesthetic and refined.

Be sure to water at the time of planting – and do this outside of frost periods, ideally between March and April or September and October.

Carex oshimensis ‘Everest’

Note that this carex is characterised by a timid flowering in autumn: you will see a few small, very dark spikes, almost black. Since it is quite resistant to occasional drought, this sedge can enhance a large rockery container, where you might add Santolina ‘Lemon Frizz’, for example. It is also very attractive in a pot alongside heathers and cyclamens.

Carex muskingumensis ‘Little Midge’ and its perfect dimensions for a balcony

The Carex muskingumensis ‘Little Midge’, or American sedge, has particularly modest dimensions. With a slow growth rate, it is an essential ally for decorating a small balcony. Its spread will not exceed 40 cm at ripeness, and its height will be 30 cm.

Despite its small size, this carex remains a very robust, hardy species, capable of withstanding cold down to -15°C. Its deciduous leaves, which are dark green and very shiny at first, tend to turn light green/yellow when exposed to sunlight.

In a planter, pair this grass with not overly sophisticated tulips such as ‘Rosy Dream’, ‘Princesse Irène’, or ‘Purple Doll’.

Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’, characterised by its elegant geometry

The evergreen leaves of Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ cascade towards the ground and present a light cream-yellow hue, bordered by two bands of intense green. These colourful and contrasting lines delight all those looking to decorate a contemporary balcony focused on greenery.

Carex ‘Evergold’

Once it reaches ripeness, this plant does not exceed 30 cm in height, with a spread of 30 cm as well. Very concretely, this means that you can grow it without any worries in a pot, even if you only have a small balcony overlooking a city apartment.

In terms of exposure, this carex is quite tolerant: it enjoys the sun, but also partial shade. However, if you wish to achieve the lightest foliage possible, we recommend favouring partial shade, as it is in filtered light that carex ‘Evergold’ reveals all its beauty.

In a large autumn pot, it brings a lovely touch of light alongside a chrysanthemum in salmon tones like ‘Herbstbrokat’, a heuchera ‘Peach Flambé’, and a Skimmia ‘Pink Dwarf’.

Carex conica ‘Snowline’, with green foliage marginate with silver

Also known as the “Korean sedge,” the Carex conica ‘Snowline’ grows slowly and remains very small even after several years of cultivation, making it a perfect candidate to adorn your balcony or terrace.

Its evergreen leaves are a dark green, with a silver-white margin along both edges. This very low-maintenance carex does not require pruning; simply run your hand (or a comb) through the old foliage from time to time to keep it tidy.

This carex enjoys sunny or partially shaded situations. It will thrive alongside Iris reticulata, dwarf daffodils, snowdrops, Oriental hellebore or nigercors, and variegated ivy cascading from a large pot.