Silk Tassel Japanese Grass Sedge (Carex morrowii var. temnolepis 'Silk Tassel')
KARE-ex mor-ROE-ee-eye variety temnolepis 'Silk Tassel'

Semi-Evergreen Perennial Clump-Forming, Arching in the Cyperaceae Family
A fine-textured, variegated Japanese sedge whose narrow, silvery-striped leaves form a graceful, fountain-like mound in shade.
Carex morrowii var. temnolepis 'Silk Tassel' (Silk Tassel Japanese Grass Sedge) is a slow-to-medium growing, clump-forming ornamental sedge with unusually fine, thread-like leaves edged in subtle silvery-white variegation. In shaded sites its narrow foliage arches outward in a loose, cascading, fountain-like mound; in sunnier spots the clump stays tighter and more compact. Inconspicuous greenish flower spikes appear in late spring, maturing to a greenish-brown by early summer. Best in part shade to full shade with consistently moist to wet soil, it will also tolerate full sun given reliably moist conditions, and its evergreen foliage may brown back in harsh winters this far north.

Pros

  • Fine, thread-like foliage with subtle silvery-white variegation
  • Graceful, fountain-like mounding habit in shade
  • Deer resistant; low-maintenance once established
  • Tolerates moist to wet soil, even occasional standing water

Cons

  • Variegation can revert to solid green over time
  • Dislikes letting soil dry out, especially in sun
  • Foliage may brown back in harsh Chicago-area winters
Highlights
  • Delicate, silver-striped foliage with a soft, tassel-like texture
  • Adapts its growth habit from loose and arching in shade to tighter and compact in sun
  • Useful as a fine-textured groundcover or container accent in shaded gardens
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 9 - 12 inches tall. 12 - 18 inches wide.
Growth Rate Medium
Sun Exposure Full Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium - Wet
Zones 5a - 9b (Usually hardy to -20° F)
Tags Deer Resistant, Full Shade, Full Sun, Grasses, Medium, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Shade Tolerant, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant
Bloom Period May
Flower Color Greenish-Brown
 

More Info from Experts

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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2023 : 07/06 - 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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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!