Showing posts with label rock garden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rock garden. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Evercolor® series of Japanese sedges

Carex 'Everillo'
Japanese sedges (Carex oshimensis)  are fine-textured variegated sedges that typically grow in a low, grass-like mounded clump to 10-16” tall and wide. This tough colorful sedge was originally found growing in dry woodlands and rocky slopes throughout Honshu Island, Japan. Brownish floral spikes are mostly inconspicuous.

Japanese sedge are evergreen across the southern U.S. They’re long-lasting and easy to grow! Evercolor® series of variegated Japanese sedges are the result of breeding from Pat Fitzgerald, at Fitzgerald Nurseries in Kilkenny, Ireland. This collection of seven cultivars (to date)have been introduced so far. They are hardy in zones 6-8, but are being evaluated in USDA zone 5. Plants are evergreen through most of their growing range.

Sedges are grass-like plants, and prefer moist, organic rich soil and partial shade. Once established sedges tolerate dry shade, accompanied by intermittent watering during dry periods. Foliage colors are richer in partial shade than in full sun. Plants spread are propagate by rhizome division in early spring.

Evercolor® series make exceptional ground covers, as well as bedding and specimen plants. They are planted in mixed containers and window boxes, as billowy plant mounds spilling over the edge into a path or billow up (mound) in a container or window box. Spacing varies with cultivar. Utilize sedges for edging along pathways, streams or ponds, and in rock gardens.

'Evercolor' sedge

Evercolor® sedges grow 12 inches high and 12-18 inches in spread in shade or part shade in moist to average soil with good drainage. Water well after planting and regularly until established after one year. Trim back all last year’s growth in late winter. No serious insect or disease problems trouble sedges and are deer resistant

‘Evergold’ - (original variegated form) - narrow leaves with broad, creamy, yellowish-white center stripe and bordered by thin dark green margins.

‘Everillo’ - a cascading mounding fountain of lime green leaves deepen to yellow-gold later in the summer.

‘Everest’ - more vigorous sport of ‘Evergold’ with green center and crisp snow-white edging.

‘Everlime’ – a mound of leaf blades with deep green centers flanked by lime green margins.

‘Eversheen’ has distinctive lime yellow striped foliage, all in a neat flowing mound.

‘Everoro’ – leaf blades emerge lime-green and turn golden yellow late in the season.

‘Everlite’ – rich green leaf blade edges and broad white center stripe.

Saturday, February 1, 2020

Silberlocke Korean Fir


Dwarf cultivars of Korean firs (Abies koreana) are favorites among many conifer collectors (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). Four ultra-dwarf varieties grow inches per year. Horstmann’s Silberlocke’ is the leading Korean fir variety among conifer collectors. To encourage a deep extensive root system, extra care (TLC) is needed the first 2-3 years after planting in the garden.



Abies koreana  'Horstmann’s Silberlocke’
'Horstmann’s Silberlocke’ The German word silberlocke means "silver locks of hair". The needles on the branches curl on the tops exposing the white underside of the needles, resulting in a frosted look. Annual growth rate is 6 - 8 inches (15 – 20 cm). Over the years, 'Horstmann's Silberlocke' will develop into a small 12 feet high x 8 feet wide landscape tree. The curling needle trait is often lost as the plant age. ‘Silberlocke’ also produces purple/tan cones on young plants.

Plant in a humus-rich, acidic, well-drained soil and in a sun to partial shade garden bed. Mulch with acidic organic compost such as pine needles, shredded pine bark, or chips. Irrigate once or twice monthly during periods of drought, heat or high winds.


Korean fir appears to be more heat tolerant than other firs, but it prefers cooler regions of the U.S. As with most firs in the South, Korean fir will often fail if too hot and will fail in wet soppy soils. In the warm humid southeastern U.S. environment, Korean fir should be grafted on Momi fir (Abies firma) rootstock. Dwarf forms make great additions to a small urban garden, a rockery, or a large container. Korean fir is rated as deer resistant.


Because of their rates of growth, super dwarfs are investments in the future. A plant with some size will likely command a premium price.