1 named cultivar

‘Kaga Nishiki’Gold Fountains Sedge

grass

Gold Fountains Sedge

Carex dolichostachya

The Story

Plant Bio

Carex dolichostachya is a slow-growing evergreen sedge from East Asia, six to fourteen inches high and spreading a foot or more. Very fine narrow leaves under a quarter-inch wide arch outward in a dense fountain, and small brown flower spikes appear in spring, of no ornamental consequence.

It is one of the best sedges for deep shade, holding fine bright foliage where grasses would thin out and fail. The variegated forms light a dark corner more effectively than any flower. Growth is slow, so plant closer than feels right, and comb the old foliage out by hand rather than shearing, which leaves an evergreen sedge looking wrecked.

Uses & Benefits:

A fine evergreen fountain of narrow arching leaves, brightest in the gold-variegated forms.

Performs in deep shade where ornamental grasses will not, and needs almost no attention.

Butterflies visit, and the evergreen clump shelters insects through winter.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Grass

Height

10 inches

Width

16 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

East Asia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in partial to deep shade.
Give it moist, freely draining soil.
Space plants a foot apart for a continuous band.
Water through dry spells while establishing.
Comb out dead leaves by hand in spring.
Divide only when clumps become congested.

Pro Tip

Comb the old leaves out with your fingers each spring — shearing an evergreen sedge leaves it looking ruined for months.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Use it for deep shade 🌑
Comb out old foliage by hand 🖐️
Plant closely; it is slow 📏
Keep the soil moist 💧

Don't

Shear it to the ground ❌
Let it bake dry ❌
Expect quick cover ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Tidy

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Fine-textured groundcover in deep shadeShaded container and small-space plantingEdging along a woodland path

Companion Plants

HostaHellebore Japanese Painted Fern HeucheraSweet Box

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Gold Fountains Sedge questions

What zones can Gold Fountains Sedge grow in?

Gold Fountains Sedge is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Gold Fountains Sedge deer resistant?

Yes — Gold Fountains Sedge is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Gold Fountains Sedge bloom?

Gold Fountains Sedge typically blooms in spring through late fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Gold Fountains Sedge need full sun?

Gold Fountains Sedge does best in part shade.