Cappuccino Sedge

New Zealand is about as remote as you can get, but even there you can get a decent cappuccino, as long as it is the Cappuccino Sedge, a remarkable grass-like plant, found in NZ, that has gorgeous chocolate-bronze leaves. Forming a mounding fountain up to 2 feet across, its slender leaves flow like waves over rocks or from the top of a wall. Alone or in clumps, it’s a great color accent, with a lovely form as well. It’s ideal for edging beds in partial sun, planting in a rock garden or by water, and for growing in pots, alone or beneath taller plants. The new leaves in spring are pink, adding further interest, and in summer spikes of shaggy flowers rise up a little above the foliage. It’s a great choice for a grass-like look in partial shade, where true grasses won’t grow, and it’s unique coloring puts this great plant in a class of its own.

• Gorgeous chocolate-bronze leaves are pink when new in spring
• A graceful mound of thin leaves up to 18 inches tall
• Grows well in partial shade, unlike true grasses
• Taller flower spikes in summer
• Beautiful in pots mixed with other perennials

The Cappuccino Sedge is hardy from warmer parts of zone 7, and is evergreen, losing just a few leaves during winter. These can be combed out with fingers of a small rake. Plant in full sun or partial shade – some sun helps keep the brown color strong. A cool, damp soil is best, but once well-established this plant will tolerate considerable periods of drought without any problems. It isn’t bothered by deer and doesn’t have any pests or diseases. Don’t cut back in fall or spring as you normally do for ornamental grasses – the foliage persists for several years with just a combing.