Feather Falls Sedge Carex oshimensis 'Feather Falls' Height: 18 inches Spread: 24 inches
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Hardiness Zone: 4b Other Names: Variegated Japanese Sedge Description: A vigorous, mound forming evergreen plant with dramatic, narrow, green and white striped foliage that arches up and then weeps gracefully; feathery plumes rise in spring; makes quite a statement as a container planting or as an accent in the border Ornamental Features Feather Falls Sedge is primarily valued in the garden for its cascading habit of growth. It features airy plumes of white flowers rising above the foliage from late spring to early summer. Its attractive grassy leaves are forest green in color with prominent white stripes and tinges of chartreuse. The foliage often turns brown in fall. Landscape Attributes Feather Falls Sedge is an herbaceous evergreen perennial grass with a shapely form and gracefully arching stems. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect. This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It has no significant negative characteristics. Feather Falls Sedge is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Feather Falls Sedge will grow to be about 16 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round. This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation. Feather Falls Sedge is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
