27.06.2023 - 08:51 / aberdeengardening.co.uk
Carex Buchananii, love it or hate it, I think its here to stay in our Aberdeen garden.
Now, don’t blame me, I know it looks like food for the cattle! When Myra first insisted that she wanted this in our garden I honestly thought she had lost the plot. Look! I have even framed it to see if that helps. Well anyway she said, before long you will see the value of this lovely grass, and you will end up being fond of it.
Lets talk Daffodils, I digress a little, but this plant reminds me of when b-a-g commented on a post which I had on the Daffodil Jetfire. B-a-g said he was not fond of Daffodils. Well I couldn’t understand, why would anyone not like Daffodils, I replied, as gardening is quite new to you, probably you will end up liking or even learn to like them. What a load of tosh! if he doesn’t like the bloody things he just doesn’t like them.
Back to Carex Buchananii, after ten years of it being in the garden do I now like it, well, eh, hmm, ok yes!! in the Summer that is, but I still think it looks hellish in Winter. Fair enough I may be easy won over, but Myra does have a persuasive manner.
Buchananii is also commonly known as the New Zealand Leather leaf sedge. It is extremely hardy and will grow in any position except maybe total shade, not fussy at all regarding the soil. This everbrown plants appearance is much the same in Winter as it is in the Summer. However in Summer you are aware that it is alive when you see seed heads appearing. I have to admit, it does make a good contrast for other plants and when the sun rays catch it you may be pleasantly surprised. In mid Summer when this Carex starts to get untidy get out a large pair of scissors, gather the whole plant in one hand and cut a good few
