Red Rooster Leatherleaf Sedge (Carex buchananii 'Red Rooster')
KARE-ex boo-kan-AN-ee-eye 'Red Rooster'

Evergreen Perennial (usually grown as an annual near you) Upright, Arching, Clump-Forming in the Cyperaceae Family
 
Buy Red Rooster Leatherleaf Sedge
Size Notes Price Availability
Tray of 10 4" pots Greenhouse $57.75 Likely available
11/1 - 11/8
1/24 - 4/4
Tray of 10 4" pots Greenhouse $66.00 Likely available
11/1 - 11/8
1/24 - 4/4

Striking coppery-bronze, hair-like foliage forms an upright, fountain-like clump that holds its color year-round.
Carex buchananii Red Rooster (Red Rooster Leatherleaf Sedge) is an evergreen ornamental sedge grown for its fine, hair-like leaves in an unusual coppery-bronze to reddish-cinnamon color that persists through the seasons, shifting to wheat-bronze tones in fall. Forming upright, arching clumps with a fountain-like habit, it provides year-round textural and color interest. A selection of Carex buchananii, a species native to New Zealand, it grows well in full sun to partial shade and average to evenly moist, well-drained soil, but does not tolerate standing water or extended drought. It is not particular about soil type and shows some tolerance for urban conditions.

Pros

  • Unusual coppery-bronze foliage color holds year-round as an evergreen
  • Upright, fountain-like form adds texture to borders and containers
  • Adaptable to a range of soil types
  • Deer resistant

Cons

  • Does not tolerate standing water or prolonged drought
  • Not reliably cold-hardy outside roughly zones 6-9
  • Inconspicuous flowers offer no ornamental bloom
This plant may be mostly winter-hardy outdoors where you live, but it may need protection to survive extreme weather.
Highlights
  • One of the most distinctive foliage colors among ornamental sedges
  • Evergreen structure provides winter interest
  • Versatile in borders, containers, and rock gardens
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 24 inches tall. 12 - 18 inches wide.
Growth Rate Moderate
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium: Prefers average to evenly moist soil; tolerates brief dry spells once established but does not tolerate standing water.
Zones 6a - 9b (Usually hardy to -10° F)
Tags Attracts Butterflies, Container, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Evergreen, Full Sun, Grasses, Medium, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Thrillers
Bloom Period Flowers inconspicuous
Flower Color Brown (Inconspicuous)
Foliage Color Coppery-Bronze

Commonly Planted with...

Pairs well with plants that echo or contrast its bronze foliage, such as Heuchera (Coral Bells), Sedum, Lavandula (Lavender), and ornamental grasses like Pennisetum (Fountain Grass).

Photos of This with...

Strawberry Seduction Yarrow, Sunny Seduction Yarrow, Intenz Dark Purple Celosia, Dalmatian Purple Foxglove, Dark Blue Moody Blues Speedwell, Pink Moody Blues Speedwell,
 
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 05/18 - 10/04
2024 : 02/08 - 09/21
2023 : 08/16 - 09/10

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!