Carex comans aka Longwood Tussock

Carex comans, or New Zealand hair sedge, belongs to Cyperaceae. This evergreen perennial comes from New Zealand. There, it grows in pastures and beside roads. It forms dense tufts with a soft, weeping outline. Gardeners grow it for its fine leaves rather than flowers. Its foliage adds interest through winter as well as summer.

Garden plants reach about 1–2 feet [0.3–0.6 metres] tall and wide. RHS describes shorter clumps, about 0.8–1.1 feet [0.25–0.35 metres] tall. Its size guide allows up to 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. The leaves stand upright or arch over the clump. Their thin, threadlike blades give the plant its hairlike look. Colours range from pale yellow-green and grey to bronze or reddish brown. The leaves have sharp edges and brown-purple lower sheaths. The stems have a triangular cross-section.

Small green-brown flowers draw little attention among the leaves. Male flowers sit at the tips of the spikes. Female flowers grow on spikes along the sides. Missouri Botanical Garden gives June to July as flowering time. NC State places bloom from late spring into early summer. RHS reports flowers in middle and late summer instead. These differences suggest that flowering dates vary between growing regions.

Grow this sedge in sun or partial shade. It prefers fertile soil that stays moist but drains well. Clay, loam, sand and chalk can all suit it. It accepts acid, neutral and alkaline soil. Choose a sheltered spot and avoid prolonged wetness or dryness. Once established, plants can cope with some drought. RHS rates it H4 for UK gardens. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 7–10. Clumps take about two to five years to mature. Divide them from mid-spring into early summer. Seed offers another way to raise plants.

Use groups beside streams, around pond edges or along slopes. The plant also suits borders, woodland edges and rock gardens. In pots, the long leaves can hang over the rim. It can form a slowly spreading ground cover. It seeds itself readily and can settle beyond its planting spot. Its leaves feed the larvae of several satyr butterflies. Serious pest and disease troubles are uncommon, though aphids may occur. Remove dead leaves in summer to keep clumps tidy.