PLANT OF THE WEEK

STRIPEY EVERGREEN SEDGES

Variegated evergreen sedges are perfect for adding colour to a winter garden. They are grass-like but with leaves that last all winter without looking tired or turning brown. For high visibility, choose a lemonand-lime striped variety such as Carex elata ‘Aurea’, which makes showy 12-18in tufts in moist soil.

Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ is better in drier soils and pots. Create a stripy carpet under evergreens or shrubs with Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’ (above), which is unfussy about soil and fine in shade. It looks lovely with snowdrops and other spring bulbs.