Description Family Cyperaceae Garden Origin Brilliant tufts of brightly variegated blades of evergreen foliage. Small spikes of buff-coloured fluffy flowerheads are a bonus in late summer. Brilliantly adaptable, hardy and easy to grow in woodland shade or full sun. An unsung hero of planting schemes; an invaluable support plant that is also capable of making a stunning feature plant when used en masse. We have selected just a few of the innumerable varieties of Japanese Sedge to stock, having trialled many and planted some in our display gardens, and this is one of the best performers with outstanding colour. Each grass-like blade of foliage (carex are not true grasses) has a unique and random arrangement of white stripes set against a dark green background colour. It is this wonderful colour contrast that sets ‘Everest’ apart from other varieties, paired with its reliable hardiness and dense brush-like growth. The tan/russet coloured flowers are a nice added detail when the plant is viewed at close quarters, but do not have much impact from a distance. They appear amongst the foliage in midsummer, not protruding far beyond the leaves, bringing a further soft, textural quality to the plant. The outstanding qualities of this variety can be used in many ways; as a ground cover underpinning many different styles of planting, as a show-stopping carpet at the forefront of compositions, or as isolated specimens amongst minimalist planting schemes, e.g. nestling between moss-covered stones in oriental style gardens. In the latter style it brilliantly contrasts with the dark foliage of Acer palmatum ‘Garnet’, Acer palmatum ‘Burgundy Lace‘ and Astelia ‘Westland’. In Mediterranean-style gardens its spiky, yet soft character relates well and again contacts with Phormium ‘Black Velvet’, Eucomis ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ and its ground-covering ally Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘kokuryu’. Its exceptionally compact and bright, evergreen qualities make it an ideal subject for contemporary gardens, making the perfect foil for dark landscaping materials such as slate, granite and dark porcelain paving. Used as a path edging or in planters it creates a compact and architectural effect around the base of taller structural plants such as Cupressus sempervirens ‘Totem Pole’, Cordyline ‘Paso Doble’, and even mound shaped Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’ and Myrtus communis subsp. tarentina ‘Microphylla’. Magnificently hardy and adaptable, this easy to grow sedge is happy in shade or full sun, coastal exposure and once established in drought conditions, in pots and any soil type. Height and spread after 2 – 5 years 30cm x 30cm.
