Carex buchananii – Overview
Common Name: Leatherleaf Sedge
Botanical Name: Carex buchananii
Family: Cyperaceae (Sedge family)
Origin: Native to New Zealand
Key Features:
- Foliage: Thin, upright, curly bronze to copper-colored leaves. The tips often curl into a spiral, which gives it a whimsical look.
- Height: Grows to about 50–60 cm tall (20–24 inches).
- Spread: Spreads to around 30–40 cm wide.
- Texture: Coarse and wiry with a windswept, wild look.
Growing Conditions:
- Light: Prefers full sun to part shade. The bronze colour is strongest in full sun.
- Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates poor or sandy soils.
- Water: Moderate water needs. Once established, it’s fairly drought-tolerant.
- Maintenance: Low. Trim back old leaves in late winter or early spring to tidy the clump.
Garden Uses:
- Adds strong colour contrast in gardens – especially with greens, greys, and silvers.
- Perfect in modern, coastal, or native-themed landscapes.
- Looks great in containers, mass plantings, or among rocks.
- Pairs beautifully with flaxes (Phormium), grasses like Festuca, and ground covers like Leptinella.
Fun Fact:
- The curly leaf tips are a natural feature—not a sign of damage!
- It’s often used in architectural planting due to its bold colour and shape.