A very attractive ornamental grass like plant from Japan, Carex oshimensis is not only evergreen it is also very easy care.
With a number of varieties with differing variegation such as the popular ‘Evergold’ it is used as a ground cover plant and it grows well in part shade to full sun depending on your climate zone.
How to Grow Carex oshimensis
The best place to plant all Carex oshimensis varieties including ‘Feather Falls’ and others is in a position in good morning sun with a little light afternoon shade.
- The best time to plant is in early spring as soon as the weather warms a little.
- Choose your planting position.
- Amend the soil with added compost and aged cow manure if needed.
- Ensure that drainage is good, if needed raise or build up the garden bed a little.
- Plant and water in with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
- Mulch around the plant to suppress weds and maintain a cool root run.
Ongoing Care
- Weed around the new plants to prevent root competition.
- Re apply much around the plants each spring.
- Water during long dry periods.
- Fertiliser each spring with aged cow manure (which is best as it is a very gentle fertiliser) or a slow release fertiliser
- Do not over fertilise as salt build up can cause problems.
Landscaping and Garden Uses for Carex oshimensis
Being an evergreen strap leafed grassy plant Carex oshimensis makes a good border plant along garden beds or pathways.
It will reach around 12 inches (30cm) in height and can also be used in mass plantings as an easy care ground cover plant.
You could also grow Carex oshimensis in a container or pot on a patio or in a courtyard as a lush looking year round interest plant.
Cutting Back and Pruning.
Generally no pruning or cutting back is required,
Propagation
All varieties including Evergold and Feather Falls can be divided once clumps mature. There best tome to divide the clumps is in spring.
If you feel that you do need to refresh the foliage do this in early spring just before, or as new growth begins.
Problems
This is a plant that has few serious problems, the normal issues of slugs and snails as well as mealy bugs can be treated in the normal ways.
One issue is with poorly drained or wet soggy soils, this can cause root rot or crown rot, so ensure you plant in a well drained soil.
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