Carex Aurea, also known as Bowles’ Golden Sedge or the Golden Fruited Sedge, is a grass-like plant commonly used for adding texture to a garden. It can make a great backdrop for plants with more extravagant foliage, but it can also work as a focal point in certain environments.
Due to its ability to intermingle with other plants, Carex is great for creating a sense of unity in the garden. It is also relatively easy to plant and grow. It is a lovely ornamental grass that thrives in damp landscapes.
It can be planted along stream banks where it aids with erosion control. Its adaptability to moist environments made it known as the Wet Meadow Sedge. It looks great in all garden styles, from cottage gardens to courtyards and modern gardens.
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Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Bowles’ Golden Sedge, Golden Fruited Sedge |
| Native To | Canada, Most of the United States |
| Appearance | Shimmering golden leaves; spikes alternating between staminate and pistillate; hairless fruits. |
| Growth Conditions | Thrives in moist environments; Suitable for USDA zones 3 to 9; Prefers basic pH soil with clay and loam. |
| Watering Needs | Young plants: 3 times a week. Mature plants: Once a week. |
| Propagation Methods | Seeds and Division |
| Special Features | Aids in erosion control, recognized by the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, resistant to most diseases and pests. |
| Historical Uses | Insulation in footwear, traditional medicine, basketry, ropes, fishing traps. |
| Culinary Caution | Some species can induce abortions, so consumption without proper knowledge is discouraged. |
| Cultural Significance | Considered sacred in some Native American communities. |
About Carex Aurea
- Carex Aurea is native to Canada and most of the United States. It belongs to the Carex genus which includes over 600 species in North America. This genus is very common in Minnesota where you can find over 150 of its species. Due to the large number of species included in this genus, biologists have grouped them into species. Each species shares a large number of common traits.
- Carex is a Latin word that means cutter. This is a reference to the blade-like appearance of this plant’s leaves. Aurea means golden and it refers to the plant’s shimmering golden leaves.
- This plant’s unique appearance and adaptability have earned it the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
- This plant is safe to have in any environment. It has no reported toxicity for humans or animals. It is resistant to most diseases and pests, even deer, but overall it has no known value to the surrounding wildlife.
- Over the years, Carex plants have had many uses. For a long time, dried Carex leaves were used as thermal insulation in footwear. Native Americans still use it as insulation in their moccasins.
- Some Carex species are also used as traditional medicine. Both the leaves and the roots are used in infusions. The leaves can also be used for basketry, for weaving mats, to make ropes, make fishing traps, twine and torches.
- Most species of Carex are edible, but there isn’t much information on how the plants can be prepared. Some native American folks use the leaves to induce abortions, so it’s best not to experiment with Carex plants in the kitchen.
- There are some Native American communities that consider Carex plants sacred. They use them in religious and political gatherings.
Carex Aurea Features: An Overview
- Carex Aurea belongs to the Bicolores section of the Carex genus. This section is characterized by rhizomatous that gather in clump formations, basal sheaths, v-shaped young leaves, a special distribution of staminate and pistillate spikes, and hairless fruits.
- This evergreen perennial presents interest from early May to late September and it blooms from June to August.
- Carex aurea produces thin stems of up to 40 cm and its foliage clump can reach a top width of 90 cm. Its foliage is its main attraction. The leaves are very thin, with an average width of 1-3 mm. They alternate on the stems and often overtop the flowers. The leaves start in a V shape but they flatten as they grow. Their colour ranges from medium green to bright yellow.
- In most plants, the leaves are golden with bright green edges. The base of each leaf is wrapped in a brown sheath. As they grow, the leaves start to gracefully curve towards the ground, pushed down by their weight. The stems are erect and rough around the edges.
- Carex aurea produces spikes that alternate between staminate and pistillate spikes. The top spikes are usually staminate while the lower spikes are pistillate.
- If the environment is suitable for healthy growth, Carex Aurea will produce fruits in late spring and throughout the middle of the summer. The pistillate spikes get crowded on the stalk bearing 4 to 20 fruits.
- The fruit is wrapped in a capsule known as the perigynia. When ripe, it has a bright orange colour, which turns brown as it dries. They are very small reaching a top length of 3,2 mm with a top width of 1,8 mm. The egg-shaped fruit is fleshy, veined, and hairless. It is the bright colour of the fruit which differentiates it from other Carex species.
Growing Carex Aurea
Carex Aurea is suitable for USDA zones 3 to 9. It is a sun-loving plant but it can also grow well in partial shade. Its main requirement is moist soil. If it gets enough moisture, it will grow quickly and spread easily. It usually creates colonies along streambanks.
It prefers soil with a basic pH with plenty of clay and loam. Overall, it needs poorly drained soil with high moisture retention properties. This plant’s upright hair-like tufts gracefully tremble in light breezes but they can be severely damaged by strong winds. As such, you may want to provide it with some shelter during storms.
The best thing about Carex Aurea is that you don’t have to worry about it in the winter. It is quite frost hardy and it can tolerate temperatures as low as 20 Celsius degrees.
Carex aurea doesn’t need much pruning. However, the leaves tend to wilt and love their charm once the flowering season ends. This is a good time to cut back on the plant.
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Planting Carex Aurea
Preparing the soil is crucial to successfully plant Carex Aurea. You should be very thorough when turning the soil and remove all large and medium-sized rocks. Clay soil will generally work well, but if you feel that the soil is too heavy, you can improve it with some grit or organic matter. If you want to enrich the soil, you can add some bonemeal.
It is always best if you start by planting young plants and later experiment with various propagation techniques. Young plants should have moist roots. If the root is too dry, soak it in a bucket of water for half an hour.
When planting it, maintain the same soil level that it had in its pot. Water it generously after planting it and check on it regularly to make sure its soil is moist. You can also plant Carex aurea in a container, but you will have to water it more frequently.
Watering Carex Aurea
Even though Carex aurea enjoys a moist environment, it is not a very thirsty plant. Mature plants have basic water needs. Younger Carex plants do need extra water. Ideally, you should water young plants about 3 times per week, and water adult plants once per week.
It is important to mention that the weather can strongly impact your Carex plants’ watering needs, so you should always check the soil manually. Always water at the first signs of dryness, as this plant will be happier if you keep its soil moderately moist.
Propagating Carex Aurea
Carex Aurea can be propagated from seed and through division. Propagating from seed is relatively easy. All you need is a small pot and some basic seed starting mix. Sprinkle the seeds on the soil and cover them with a thin layer of soil or sand. Spray the soil with water until it is properly moist and then cover it with a plastic wrap to prevent the moisture from evaporating.
Make sure the seeds get plenty of direct sunlight. Once the seedlings emerge, you can remove the plastic wrap. Make sure that the pot is placed in a south-facing window. Young plants are fragile, so you will have to keep them indoors until they mature. Separate the seedlings and move them in bigger pots as they grow.
Propagating through division is very simple. The process is the same for most ornamental grasses. They must be divided when they are actively growing, which usually happens in spring. Never divide plants when they are flowering.
Use a spade to lift the grass from the ground. Next, use a couple of forks to divide the clump root system. You can also use a spade or a sharp knife to cut through the clump. For the best results, try to keep the divisions relatively large. Don’t expect to turn a mature plant into ten new plants. Once the roots are divided, plant them as we explained in the planting section.
In Conclusion
Due to its rich foliage, you might be tempted to use this plant as a focal point. While it looks great on its own, it looks even better when it is planted in masses. It’s suitable for most gardens, and it easily adapts to any environment, be it a boxed garden, a border, a garden bed, or the banks of a stream.
Carex aurea gets along well with most plants. It looks particularly well when planted along with other grass-like plants. It gets along well with Salix Purpurea, Molinia, Scirpus, Carex Flacca, or even Valeriana. The golden leaf accent of this plant and its ability to tolerate partial shade also makes it an excellent choice for brightening up shady areas. It makes a great contrast with gravel or mulch.
Are you growing ornamental grasses? Let us know in the comments below!
Carex Aurea FAQS
What is Carex Aurea used for?
Carex Aurea, commonly known as Bowles’ Golden Sedge or the Golden Fruited Sedge, is primarily used as an ornamental grass in gardens to add texture and contrast. It provides erosion control when planted along stream banks. Historically, its leaves have been used as insulation in footwear, in traditional medicine, for weaving baskets, making ropes, fishing traps, twine, and torches. Some Native American communities consider Carex plants sacred and use them in religious and political gatherings.
Is Carex Aurea edible?
Most species of Carex, including Carex Aurea, are considered edible. However, there isn’t comprehensive information on culinary preparation and use. It’s essential to approach with caution, as some native American groups use the leaves of specific Carex species to induce abortions. As such, it’s not recommended to experiment with Carex plants in culinary applications without thorough knowledge.
How do you care for Carex Elata Aurea?
Carex Elata Aurea, also known as the “Golden Sedge,” requires similar care to Carex Aurea. It prefers moist conditions and can thrive in both sunlight and partial shade. The soil should have a basic pH, rich in clay and loam. Despite being fond of moisture, it’s not excessively thirsty; young plants need more frequent watering than mature ones. It’s frost-hardy, can withstand temperatures as low as -20°C, and doesn’t require frequent pruning. However, post-flowering is an excellent time for some trimming.
What size does Carex Elata Aurea grow?
Carex Elata Aurea can produce thin stems of up to 40 cm in height, and its foliage clump can span up to 90 cm in width. The leaves are slim, averaging 1-3 mm in width.
