Carex Moon Falls

Carex 'Moon Falls' (Carex oshimensis 'Moon Falls') is a compact weeping sedge grown for the golden stripe down the centre of every blade. It settles at about 30cm tall and 40cm wide, arching outward rather than upward, so it spills over a pot rim or wall top instead of blocking what is behind. Frost hardy, drought tolerant once established, salt tolerant and safe around cats and dogs.

Why you'll love it

• Light in a dim corner. The gold centred foliage reads as brightness from across the garden, which is what a shaded bed under trees needs.
• It stays where you put it. Slow and clumping, so it holds a tidy 30cm by 40cm mound for years without running.
• Pet friendly. Not toxic to cats or dogs, so it can go at ground level in a garden the dog actually uses.
• Almost no maintenance. One tidy up a year is the whole job. Nothing to deadhead, stake or spray.

Where it works best

Borders and edging. Run it along a path or bed edge for a soft continuous ribbon that never needs clipping.

Mass planting and groundcover. At 40cm apart the clumps knit into a low flowing carpet over two seasons; ten plants cover roughly 1.6 square metres.

Pots, raised beds and retaining walls. Set at the edge of a container, raised bed or wall top, the blades cascade over the face and soften a hard line.

Growing Carex 'Moon Falls' in Australia

Position and climate. Partial shade gives the best colour, ideally morning sun with afternoon protection. It suits cool temperate, warm temperate, mediterranean and subtropical gardens. In hot inland districts the blades scorch in full afternoon sun, so plant on the eastern side of the house.

Soil. Any reasonable garden soil that drains. Work compost through heavy clay before planting, and mulch about 50mm deep, kept off the crown so the base does not rot.

Water and feed. Water twice a week through the first summer, then it handles dry spells on its own. A handful of slow release fertiliser in early spring covers the year.

Pruning. If the clump looks tired by late winter, shear it back to about 10cm and it reshoots quickly. Otherwise comb the spent blades out with your fingers.

What to expect when it arrives

This sedge is sold in 140mm pots in packs of ten, the practical quantity for edging a bed or a planter run. Each is an established clump rather than a seedling, so it looks like a small version of the finished plant on day one.

Grasses and sedges travel well. Expect a few creased or bent blades on arrival; they straighten within a fortnight. Plant within a few days, water in, and allow one full growing season for the clumps to reach mature width. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to use ornamental grasses in a garden design
• Browse all grasses and strappy leaf plants
• See more plants that are safe around pets
• Trailing plants for the top of a retaining wall

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Forty centimetres apart, matching its mature width. The clumps meet without crowding and each keeps the arching shape that makes it worth growing.

Will it survive frost?

Yes. It is frost hardy and handles cool temperate winters without protection. The foliage can look dull by late winter, which a hard shear in early spring corrects.

Is it safe if my dog chews it?

Yes. It is not toxic to cats or dogs, which is why it works as a low edging plant in a garden pets have the run of.