Carex 'Ice Dance'

Carex 'Ice Dance': Frosted Edges, Slow-Knitting Carpet

'Ice Dance' skates across the shade on dark green blades trimmed in clean white, going for gold while the deer judges can't get a bite. SPREADING, GLIDING, NEVER FALLING.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Carex morrowii 'Ice Dance'
• Common Name: Japanese Sedge
• Height: 30 cm (12 in)
• Spread: 45–60 cm (18–24 in), spreading slowly by rhizomes
• Flowers: Small, brownish spikes; grown for its foliage
• Bloom Time: Spring (May to June)
• Foliage: Broad, arching, dark green blades with clean white margins; evergreen to semi-evergreen
• Features: Spreading groundcover

Where to Plant: It's an excellent groundcover along shady walkways and on slopes, where its roots help hold the soil. Plant it in groups and it knits into a solid carpet.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Ice Dance' along the front of a moist bed in shade or part sun with blue, black and crimson. Primula Crescendo® Blue Shades opens blue primroses at 25 cm in April and May. Heuchera Primo® 'Black Pearl' adds near-black foliage at 20 to 25 cm. Aruncus 'Chantilly Lace' brings creamy lace sprays at 60 to 80 cm in June and July. Persicaria 'Firetail' adds crimson bottlebrush spikes at 90 to 120 cm from July to September.

Plant Care: Plant it in rich, moist, well-drained soil. It handles clay and sandy soil, but not ground that stays boggy. It grows in sun only with constant moisture. In shade, it copes with occasional dry spells. In early spring, trim off any tattered or winter-burned leaves before the new growth appears. It spreads at a moderate pace and is not invasive. Divide pieces from the edge in spring to fill new areas or share with a friend.

History: Carex morrowii is native to central and southern Japan and honours James Morrow, an agricultural scientist on Commodore Perry's 1850s expedition to Japan. 'Ice Dance' was introduced from Japan in 1996 by plant explorer Barry Yinger, and unlike the older 'Variegata' it spreads into a mat.

Final Thoughts: Use it as a groundcover under trees and let it perform all year. PERFECT TENS ACROSS THE BOARD.