Carex elata 'Aurea' (Bowles Golden) is a striking ornamental sedge known for its vivid yellow foliage edged with green. Thriving in moist soil conditions, it adds light and texture to shaded or water adjacent landscapes. This clump forming perennial grass like plant is ideal for pond margins, rain gardens, or shaded containers where its bright color can illuminate dark spaces.
Height & Spread: 18 - 24 in x 18 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Late spring
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil Preference: Prefers moist to wet soil, tolerant of poorly drained sites
Watering Needs: Requires consistently moist conditions, especially in sun
Deer Resistance: Generally avoided by deer
Native Status
Carex elata is native to parts of Europe and western Asia. The cultivar 'Aurea' was selected for its ornamental golden foliage and garden adaptability, particularly in wet or shaded areas.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Birds
- Seed heads are occasionally eaten by songbirds and clumps provide cover for ground nesting species and small animals.
Beneficial Insects
- Supports ground beetles and overwintering predatory insects that shelter in its dense root mass and base foliage.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Plant 18 - 24 in apart to allow room for clump expansion and strong visual impact when massed together.
Landscape Placement:
- Best used at pond edges, in bog gardens, or as a bright filler in shaded beds. Its arching habit makes it suitable for containers or the front of a border.
Companion Plants
- Ligularia dentata 'Othello' - Broad dark leaves and yellow orange flowers offer dramatic contrast and love moist soil.
- Iris versicolor (Blue Flag Iris) - Offers tall vertical blooms in blue that contrast nicely with Carex’s soft arching form.
- Ferns (Dryopteris erythrosora) - Coppery young fronds and mature green foliage provide feathery texture alongside sedges.
- Astilbe chinensis 'Pumila' - Compact pink flower spikes and deeply cut foliage complement Carex in moist shady conditions.
- Hosta 'June' - Variegated foliage with blue green and gold tones blends beautifully with the golden blades of Carex.